Enrolment schemes Wakatipu Basin

Overview

The Ministry of Education is currently working with the Boards of Queenstown Primary School and Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau to establish new enrolment schemes.  We are also working with the Remarkables Primary School Board to amend this school’s existing enrolment scheme.

Enrolment schemes are needed in the Wakatipu Basin to help manage enrolments across schools.  This allows Boards to manage the risk of overcrowding, provides a fair and transparent process for enrolment and ensures we are making the best use of schooling facilities across the area.

Enrolment schemes do mean that choice is limited in this area – all families will have entitlement to attend a school that is reasonably convenient to them, but won’t have the same entitlement to enrol at other state schools.  (Note - students already enrolled at a school before a home zone is implemented or changed are entitled to stay at their current school).

We know that establishing new enrolment schemes and changing existing home zones can be challenging for current families who have younger siblings that may be impacted when they start school.  Changes to the legislation last year (Education and Training Act 2020) now allow us to include grandparenting clauses.  This means that provided certain criteria are met, younger siblings may also be able to attend the same school as their older brother and sister who are currently enrolled.

Please note that Arrowtown School and Shotover Primary School also have enrolment schemes.  These schemes are not included in this survey as changes are not being proposed for them at this time.

It’s important that we hear and understand community perspectives before we establish these new schemes – especially the practical implication and whether the new boundaries accurately reflect the area.  Please have a look at the maps and overview information available below before you participate in the consultation process. We’re also interested in understanding the impact of grandparenting clauses – so even if you don’t have a comment about the boundary areas, we would encourage you to participate in consultation so we can gather as full a picture as possible about families that qualify for grandparenting clauses if these are included.

This consultation process is about enrolment schemes, which determines the entitlement to enrol.  It’s important to note that a student’s eligibility to enrol may be different to their eligibility for School Transport assistance.  Further information about eligibility to school transport can be found here https://www.education.govt.nz/school/property-and-transport/transport/sta-eligibility/

Public information meetings

We will be holding a series of meetings that people can come to to discuss these proposed schemes and ask questions in person. 

Most sessions can be booked in 10 minute slots so you have a dedicated time to discuss your particular circumstances, using the directions below.  We are also happy to discuss the changes with people at a time that suits them to come in.  You can attend any session to discuss any school. We will have one of our team available to talk to anyone who comes through.

9 March

• 1pm – 5pm at Queenstown Primary School

10 March

• 8am – 11.30am at Queenstown Primary School
• 1pm – 5pm at Remarkables Primary School
• 5.30 – 7.30pm in the Mezzanine Meeting Room, Queenstown Events Centre, 33 Joe O'Connell Drive, Frankton - no booking required - drop in at any time during the 2 hours.

11 March

• 8am – 12pm at Remarkables Primary School
• 3pm – 5pm at David Reid Showhome – 47 Jack Hanley Drive

How to book a session - 

• at Queenstown Primary School: Go to https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz, select 'Make a Booking' and enter the code eq4uy
  Parents will need to enter a child's name but this doesn't have to be a QPS child to continue.
• at Remarkables Primary School and David Reid Showhome: Book via the Skool Loop app (details here)

Information (please read these before taking part in the consultation)

Queenstown Primary School:

• Factsheet
• Map and written description of proposed zone

Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau:

• Factsheet
• Map and written descrpition of proposed zone

Remarkables Primary School:

• Factsheet
• Map and written description of proposed amended zone
• Examples of how a grandparenting (transitional) clause would work

Frequently asked questions