Back to school around the region

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 33, 5 February 1985, Page 8

Back to school around the region

Many of the region's schools have had a reduced intake of pupils this year — Ohakune having the lowest intake for seventy years! Despite the recent increase in tourism in the Ohakune area the town's population has remained generally static and with the modern trend towards smaller families, the school roll has been getting smaller annually. Last year there were 392 pupils enrolled at the school, which was the lowest since 1920. But this year the number was down to 300! RUAPEHU COLLEGE But Ohakune is not the only school with a reduced intake this year — even Ruapehu College is slightly down on its 1984 figure. The college has approximately 100 new enrolments which is slightly less than last year. The number of pupils at the school is now 400. RAETIHI Raetihi Primary School has seven new staff members. They are: Miss Meryl Wanless from Auckland, Miss Michelle Seebeck, who is on limited tenure, Mr Tom Evans and Mrs Judy Udy from Wanganui, Mrs Elizabeth Penny, Mr Ross

Dean and relieving teacher, Mr Kerry Irwin, all from Raetihi. The acting principal is Mrs Crowley. A new principal will be appointed next term. Mrs Carol Dean, has recently been appointed Senior Teacher of thejunior classes at the school. Raetihi has approximately 330 students this year. They had 13 enrolments on the first day of school last week, but about six more enrolments are expected. There were 17 new enrolments at the same time last year. RANGATAUA Rangataua Primary School has two new enrolments, bringing the total number of students alt the school to 32. Miss Chris Xavier, from Palmerston North is the new reliever this year. The acting principal is Ruth Alpass. NGAMATEA Ngamatea School, near Raetihi has a roll of ten students, which is the same as last year. Mr Millar is the sole-charge teacher. ORAUTOHA Orautoha Primary School has two new enrolments, bringing their total to 14. At the same time last year

there was a total of 1 7 pupils including four new enrolments. At present, the school committee is building seats for spectators and pupils around the school's swimming pool, says sole-charge teacher, Mr Derek Jenson. PIPIRIKI Pipiriki School has a roll of 10 as compared with 13 last year. The sole-charge teacher at Pipiriki, Mrs Josephine Mikaere says the school is trying to promote bi-lingua-lism. Josephine does this by

teaching some lessons in Maori, reading Maori books and using the Racau method of teaching. WAIOURU There are eight new teachers at Waiouru Primary School. Mr Alex Higgins, from Wellington is teaching form one, Miss Sheryl Wilson, from Timaru is in thejunior department. Mrs Janet Ness, from Hawkes Bay, who recently married a soldier, is teaching standard one. Mrs Josephine Rosendaal is back at the school after

having time off for maternity leave. She lives in Waiouru and is teaching standard two. Mrs Charlotte Otene has been appointed part-time special needs teacher. She is from Waiouru. Mrs Lyn Hansen is the relieving teacher for the J2 class. Fifty-two students enrolled at Waiouru School this year, making the total number of pupils at the school 470. Last year Waiouru had 23 enrolments at the beginning of the year. Extensive remodelling of

the senior department will be starting shortly and finishing in July. All rooms will be modernised, a corridor joining the whole department will be constructed and resource rooms will be added. NATIONAL PARK National Park School has approximately the same number of pupils as last year, the total being 107. The school gained 12 new entrants this year, which is slightly more than last year. There are no new teachers at the school.