Kids from outside catchments flood public schools

Almost two out of three children at some Gold Coast schools are from outside the catchment area despite strict enrolment measures designed to keep numbers in check. SEE YOUR SCHOOL’S STATS

Almost two out of three children at some Gold Coast schools are from outside the catchment area despite strict enrolment measures designed to keep numbers in check.

New data on the number of students travelling from outside catchment areas to attend Queensland state schools has been revealed, with high schools more likely to be housing kids from other parts of the city.

Keebra Park State High School, which is well known for its sporting prowess, welcomed 587 kids, 64 per cent of its students, from outside its Southport location in 2020.

Benowa was also a hotspot for out-of-catchment kids, with 60% of students at Benowa State coming from outside the area.

At Benowa State High School – which was last year named Queensland’s top performing school for excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – the figure was 55%.

A high number of out-of-catchment pupils were also reported in Coomera, with the figures 58% at Coomera State School and 55% at Coomera Rivers State School.

At the other end of the spectrum, Pimpama State Primary College was keeping it local with just 9% of students coming from outside the catchment area, while at Nerang State High School the figure was just 14%.

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Keebra Park is well known for its sporting success.

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Queensland Teachers Union’ president Cresta Richardson said highly desirable schools in growth areas were more likely to attract demand for enrolments, including from outside the catchment.

“Different schools have different rules about accepting out-of-catchment students, and principals have the authority to enrol students if they have the capacity,” she said.

“Catchment areas can also change, based on growth in the area.”

Queensland Teachers' Union president Cresta Richardson says school catchment areas can change. Picture: Supplied

Ms Richardson also said some families may live in the area at the time of enrolment, but then later move while keeping their kids at the same school.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said parents had the choice of enrolling their child in their local school, or gaining entry to a school with a specialised education program.

She said enrolment management plans were designed to ensure local students were accommodated.

“Where there is spare capacity, the principal may offer places to out-of-catchment students in line with their school enrolment management plan,” she said.

LNP education spokesman Christian Rowan said better infrastructure planning around schools was needed.

“Despite the Labor Government’s recent allocated capital infrastructure spending, there are many state primary and high schools that are in desperate need of additional classrooms, library facilities, and new or upgraded school halls,” he said.

“There are also significant emerging issues related to enrolment catchment policies under the state Labor Government, with some schools having large out-of-area enrolments, which is impeding the access of local students within their designated catchment area.”