Most schools in the Wakatipu have larger rolls than last year, despite a new school opening in Frankton yesterday, and at least two principals say their schools are exceeding Ministry of Education guidelines on teacher-pupil ratios.
Queenstown Primary School has 632 pupils enrolled in years 1 to 7 (up from 614 last year) and 37 teachers.
Principal John Western said the school was allocated teachers according to the teacher-pupil ratios set by Ministry of Education guidelines.
The ratios are 1:15 for year 1, 1:22 for years 2 and 3 and 1:29 for years 4 to 7.
However, it was "possible" the school would have up to 32 in some older classes, he said.
A $1.4 million teaching and learning block for 120 pupils had been completed during the summer holidays, to reduce overcrowding.
"We've finished five new learning studios and have 100 children in there.
"It's the first time in quite a long time that we have classrooms available for other programmes.
"It's a real pleasure," he said.
The school had started teaching year 7 pupils this year and gained 100 pupils who would previously have gone on to Wakatipu High School.
He said the school had lost 22 year 2 pupils, directly as a result of Remarkables Primary School opening to years 1 and 2.
However, the school had enrolled 60 new entrants, on a par with previous years.
"We have been affected by the new school.
"There's been a reshuffle . . . but that's good for the long term of the community, to have more strong schools," he said.
Remarkables Primary School opened yesterday with more than 50 year 1 and 2 pupils.
The $17.3 million facility will cater for 460 pupils and be staffed by principal Debbie Dickson and more than 20 teachers when fully operational. It will open to years 0 to 4 pupils from term three and years 0 to 6 pupils from term one next year, then years 0 to 8 pupils from term one, 2012.
Wakatipu High School has 780 pupils (790 last year), but the school stopped taking year 7 pupils this year, so had less of a decrease than expected, principal Lyn Cooper said. The school had just under 60 teachers and aimed for a teacher-student ratio of 1:26.
"Some classes are under and some classes are over, so it balances out.
"It's a ministry guideline but is taken on average," she said.
Arrowtown Primary School has 394 pupils (399 last year) enrolled for this year in years 1 to 8.
Principal Robin Harris said there were 22.5 full-time equivalent teachers at the school.
An extra classroom for 20 juniors was planned this year to meet growing demand.
New entrants had reached 68 this year, which was "pretty big" for the school, Mr Harris said.
Southern Lakes Christian School, in Frankton, has 28 pupils enrolled in years 1 to 13, including five independent learners.
Principal Melody Hart said five new pupils had enrolled for this year.
"That's quite a good increase for us," she said.
Two teachers had classes of 12 and 11 pupils, she said.
Glenorchy School principal Mary Lou Grant said the school had 35 pupils (32 last year), with three new entrants expected during the year.
St Josephs School principal Trisch Inder could not be reached for comment.
The Roman Catholic school has Queenstown Lakes District Council approval to expand into a new campus for 112 pupils near Arrowtown, but opposing residents have appealed the decision to the Environment Court.
