![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/01\/DSC_0744-300x200.jpg\")
\u201cWe\u2019re only allowed to take enrolments from our zone, but the area is full of young families, and of our 54 preps, most of them are the oldest in the family with little brothers and sisters still to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like we\u2019ll grow over the summer break with people moving into the area and lots of houses being built, and if we continue to get this many preps each year, that\u2019s where our growth will come from.\u201d<\/p>\n
Urquhart Park Primary School will also mark a milestone in term one, operating under its new name of Newington Primary School.<\/p>\n
Although it\u2019s a time of change, principal Janet Hillgrove said something that will remain much the same is the school\u2019s enrolment numbers.<\/p>\n
Currently 330 children are attending in 2021, with two classes at each year level.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got the same number of foundation children. We have had a big grade 6 cohort leave so our numbers have dipped slightly, but overall, our numbers are very stable,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe growth of Ballarat hasn\u2019t impacted us necessarily, because our zone is not a growth area… but parents do often talk about zoning, where in the past, they never did.\u201d<\/p>\n The school expected numbers may have dropped with zoning stricter than ever, but Mrs Hillgrove said that hasn\u2019t happened.<\/p>\n \u201cWe also have families coming to us seeking the International Baccalaureate program. If they are outside our zone but we have space, we will look at those enrolment enquiries.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re holding our own in Newington. The International Baccalaureate is something different for parents to look at because it\u2019s a fantastic framework preparing children for secondary school, and for life.\u201d<\/p>\n Of those attending State secondary schools, 50 per cent of Urquhart Park\u2019s children typically head to Phoenix P-12 Community College for year 7, and the other half enrol at Ballarat High School.<\/p>\n BHS principal Gary Palmer said 1520 students are enrolled for 2021.<\/p>\n Following recent State Government funding and capital works, the Lake Gardens campus will have space to allow for 1800 learners in their residential zone.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have 290 kids at year 7 next year. That\u2019s a result of growth in Alfredton, Lucas and the Carngham Road side of Winter Valley, and we\u2019ve picked up half of Haddon,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cOur zoning is strict, so we don\u2019t go through the roof. Our zone has lost Miners Rest, out to Clunes, but that has helped us, so we haven\u2019t grown too quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re under capacity and we have room for the kids, but we are seeing growth. There\u2019s a strong demand, and we\u2019re always getting a lot of enquiries… because people in, and out of Ballarat, see us as a good school to come to.\u201d<\/p>\n By 2022, Mr Palmer predicts BHS will be educating 1600 students.<\/p>\n He said the school is expanding due to its \u201cbroad, deep curriculum\u201d offerings, including specialist mathematics, music, and languages, and because of the housing \u201cpopping up\u201d nearby.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you live inside our zone, I can guarantee you an enrolment. We ask for everyone to provide evidence of their residential address inside our neighbourhood because it\u2019s about respect, fairness and equity,\u201d Mr Palmer said.<\/p>\n Mount Rowan Secondary College has picked up the Miners Rest and Clunes neighbourhoods no longer in the BHS zone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AS students head back into the classroom for 2021, Lucas Primary School will celebrate its first birthday. The facility opened last year with 71 enrolments, wrapping up 2020 with 88 students and 11 grade 6 graduates. Planning for the upcoming term, principal Sue Sawyer said her 15 staff are about to welcome 148 children from […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/01\/A02I1999-300x200.jpg\")