While schools are braced for the impact of the global economic downturn, secondary school principals say their pupils are also showing signs of readying themselves for tougher times ahead.
Nationally, schools are talking about increased year 13 rolls as pupils who have been unable to find work return to the classroom.
In Dunedin, the impact of the recession does not seem to have hit schools yet, but its shadow is causing a more serious mood among pupils.
Most of Dunedin's dozen secondary schools report stable or slightly higher year 13 rolls this year.
At the same time, principals have noticed pupils returning with a more focused attitude.
At Logan Park High School (LPHS), there were almost 100 year 13 pupils, about the same number as last year, principal Jane Johnson said.
But the big change has been in the number of academically capable, senior pupils wanting to do the school's career exploration Gateway course.
‘‘We had 33 students applying for 15 places,'' Ms Johnson said.
‘‘I think it reflects the fact students are thinking very carefully about careers - about the subjects they are studying and where it's leading them.''
Gateway pupils take four subjects plus the Gateway option, which includes work experience and studying for unit standards related directly to their area of employment interest.
LPHS pupil Charlotte Andrew (17) wants to become a lawyer. She was in the Gateway programme to learn more about what would be involved in training for that career, she said.
Leighton Griffiths (17) wanted a job in the building industry so was participating in Gateway to get qualifications that would give him a better chance of getting a job.
Jessica Napier (17) had heard good things about Gateway so was participating in it as a pathway to becoming an early childhood teacher.
Otago Boys' High School had a 20 per cent increase in year 13 pupils this year, rector Clive Rennie said.
Mr Rennie was unsure why the year 13 roll had increased to 135.
‘‘I would like to think there is a realisation they need good qualifications before they leave,'' he said.
King's High School has 97 year 13 pupils.
The roll was slightly higher than last year, but the retention rate had been steadily increasing for several years, principal Dan Reddiex said.
‘‘What I have noticed is that the boys have come back focused on their schooling,'' Mr Reddiex said.
Retention was ‘‘on the high side of our estimates'' for year 12 and 13, Kaikorai Valley College principal Philip Craigie said.
The school had 97 year 13 and 146 year 12 pupils this year.
Some of the year 13 pupils had returned because job prospects had not materialised, Mr Craigie said.
John McGlashan College's year 13 roll was full at 70 pupils, but the retention rate was normally high, principal Mike Corkery said.
Schools were waiting to feel the impact of the recession, but it had not yet happened in the South, Mr Corkery said.
‘‘Our boarding house is full. You would expect that to be one of the first areas to feel the impact of a downturn,'' he said.
‘‘It's like we are all sitting on the beach waiting for a tidal wave.''
Taieri College deputy principal Paul Bolton said the year 13 roll, with 75 pupils, was ‘‘very similar'' to last year.
‘‘I've warned the students that if ever there was the need for the best qualifications they could get, now is the time to prepare,'' Mr Bolton said.
The Otago Girls' High School principal Jan Anderson said the year 13 roll was stable, with 130 pupils.
Bayfield High School principal Denis Slowley said some pupils had returned unexpectedly, but the economic slowdown ‘‘was not a big factor'' in the 156-pupil year 13 roll.
Queen's High School principal Julie Anderson said the 97-pupil year 13 roll reflected the more than 90 per cent retention rate the school had maintained for several years.
‘‘We provide a whole range of programmes which help keep our students at school,'' Mrs Anderson said.
Kavanagh College deputy principal Steve Read said year 13 pupil numbers were ‘‘pretty much what was expected''.
St Hilda's Collegiate school principal Melissa Bell said the 76 year 13 pupils was a ‘‘very similar'' roll to last year.
‘‘Most of our students go on to tertiary studies rather than straight into employment,'' Miss Bell said.
At the time of publication, Columba College had not responded to questions.
