'Relief' as Catlins school gets new pupils

Published date25 January 2023
Jubilee celebrations at Tahakopa School in the Catlins in November were tinged with worry about the 125-year-old primary school's future, as three of the school's roll of four children prepared to depart for high school

At the time, teaching principal Cherie Zoutenbier-Bisset said the changing rural landscape and after-effects of pandemic lockdowns meant the school was struggling for numbers, and could be at risk of closure unless further pupils were found.

Yesterday, Mrs Zoutenbier-Bisset said a combination of media exposure of the school's predicament and a concerted community effort to promote the school had paid dividends.

A young family were moving into the unused school house adjoining the school, furnishing another two pupils by mid-year, she said.

"We're delighted and very excited to be welcoming newcomers, both to the district and to the school.

"It would be fair to say we were very concerned and uncertain about what this year would hold for the school and its important place in this community, so there's a bit of relief there too."

The family had three children, she said.

The eldest would begin this term, and a second later in the year as they reached school age.

Several additional families living both remotely and locally had also made inquiries about enrolment, she said.

"We were inundated with inquiries about the school house after we put it on Trade Me, and we're still in touch with...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT