A message from the Principal

 The article claims that there are 47 schools over capacity in our region and 150 at risk of overcrowding, of which Christ the King is one at 97% capacity. These are the worst figures in the country and even outstrip Auckland with 40 over capacity and 130 at risk of becoming overcrowded. Capacity is defined as “100% use of a school’s buildings. Overcrowded is any school operating above 85% capacity."

Christ the King has a maximum roll of 340 students. We reached this ceiling last year and our projected roll is set to top this mark again this year. Being near our capacity at 97% has positive spin offs that offset having all our available spaces being used. Each student in our school attracts funding, and staffing is increased per capita to cater for the maximum roll. In short, it leaves the operational grant to pay for the day to day running of the school and not having to fund extra teaching and teacher-aide resources that a full roll helps provide. Schools need to be near their maximum number to fully utilize potential funding.

Yesterday we had 47 athletes compete in the Northwest Zone Cross-Country, our largest and best prepared team for many a year. Well over half of these athletes qualified for the Centrals Finals at Halswell Quarry, with a top 12 finish in fields of 60 competitors, which is a wonderful achievement. Congratulations go to our children who have been following an arduous early morning training regime instigated by Head Coach Ryan McInnes and trainers Kieran Ford and Catherine twice a week. Our kids certainly reaped the rewards of their hard work and pushed themselves to the maximum. A big thanks to Ryan, Catherine and Kieran for giving up their time to train our children. I do give them an encouraging honk on the horn from my warm car!

The movie night held by the Parent Council for the Junior School last Friday was a great success. Thanks for supporting this first-time venture, coming along and meeting your school community and making connections.

Let’s also support the Junior School Mass this Sunday as we come together to celebrate the Special Character of our school in the Mass.