Due to a time of high-level growth, Parkes Christian School has developed a new enrolment application process that will take place throughout May.
The school currently has more than 270 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, having grown from around 200 just three years ago. There has been a steady influx of students across all year groups, however 2021 saw record numbers of students enrol in Kindergarten and Year 7.
In order to manage this rapid growth, the school is now taking applications for enrolments for 2022 Kindergarten and Year 7 students, with applications closing at the end of May.
School Principal Mr Glen Westcott said the new application process will allow the school to continue to grow, but also maintain a small-school environment.
“We have made a tough decision to limit our class sizes from this point forward. In Kindergarten, we will only enrol approximately 21 students from now on, and in Year 7 we will only take 50 students, split across two classes,” Mr Westcott said.
“A couple of years ago, these limits were a long way off, but this year we have 25 Kindergarten students and 33 students in Year 7. With our numbers continuing to grow, we need to have a fair enrolment process in place. Getting parents to apply early in the year is one of the best ways we can do that.
“Naturally, students who are already in Year 6 will automatically be enrolled in Year 7 next year, but for everyone else, the earlier they get their applications in, the better chance they will have of securing a position.”
Parents of students in any year group thinking of enrolling at Parkes Christian School should also apply in May, as almost a third of year groups are nearly full and the rest are starting to fill up quickly.
Some people may wonder why the school wants to limit enrolments, but Mr Westcott said that it is vital that the school retains a small-school feel.
“While we are certainly not as big as some other schools in the area, we are no longer a small school,” Mr Westcott said.
“However, we are still small enough that we are able to get to know each student and cater for their individual needs.
“We are big enough to have friendly competition in the classroom, all the HSC subjects that other schools offer, sporting teams, school musicals, bands – the list goes on. But we are small enough that everyone can be involved and create a really wonderful sense of community.
“By having limits on our class sizes that will place our school at around 350 students, we will be able to maintain all the benefits and opportunities of both big and small schools.”
The school’s Kindergarten and Primary Expo is being held on Tuesday, 4 May, from 6pm-8pm. This is a great opportunity for prospective parents of primary students to see what the school has to offer and speak to staff and students.
There is also a tour day for parents and students of all year levels on Thursday, 6 May, and again on Thursday, 20 May. This will allow parents to see the classrooms in action and get a feel for a normal school day.
To find out more about the application process, or to book a tour of the school, please contact the school office on 6862 4164, or email [email protected]. Parents may also want to take advantage of the online enrolment application form which is available at www.parkescs.nsw.edu.au/enrolment
