Misconceptions about a Queenstown Christian school and the condition of its building may have stymied its enrolment growth in the Wakatipu basin, where other schools' rolls are fit to burst, the principal says.
KingsView School principal Rebekah Key said she was surprised the passion for education shown by parents for other Wakatipu schools had not translated into enrolments at her primary school in Frankton.
Almost one year after it opened, there were still only about 15 pupils in a school which had a consented capacity for 100 pupils. Yet families flocked to the other faith-based school in Queenstown, and elsewhere in New Zealand, and many schools had waiting lists.
"We are negotiating ... a custom-built site, which is going to be fantastic," Ms Key said.
"Once we have an amazing new site and location, that's when people will get talking. But unfortunately, it doesn't make any financial sense for us to build for 200, 300, 400 children when the demand doesn't appear to be there.
"Parents in this community need urgently to consider why and what they are choosing for their children because in 20 years' time it won't matter whether they went to the flashest school, whether it's the best uniform, or most impressive buildings, it will matter who these children are, the kind of work ethic they've got and the faith they have in themselves."
Asked why there was a slow enrolment uptake, Ms Key said she wondered whether it was because of community perceptions of the Southern Lakes Christian School, which closed at the end of 2010.
KingsView School officially opened in the same building on February 11 last year.
Teaching staff and the board of trustees were all new and the rooms were renovated, she said.
"I challenge people to stop looking just outside the doors and come on inside, because it's an amazing building and location and the classrooms have an incredible feel to them."
Ms Key said faith was as much a part of the typical KingsView day as older generations may have experiences at school, such as weekly assemblies and prayers led by pupils in the morning, before lunch and at the end of the day.
Children gather in a "gratitude circle" before home time to say what they are thankful for.
Curriculum planning incorporated the values of the school, such as "generosity" last term.
"People choose to send their children to our school because the core values that are ingrained into the very fibre and fabric of our school are the ones resonating with them," Ms Key said.
"The Christian world-view manifests itself in a belief that every human being is uniquely created in the image of God; that there is a being behind everything who is greater than we are and human beings can access. So when you apply that into a classroom, I believe all children have the capacity to learn and all have amazing gifts and talents just there waiting to be unlocked.
"It's not me just standing at the front delivering curriculum. It's engaging with a whole child."
St Joseph's School, the other faith-based state-integrated school in the Wakatipu and the only Roman Catholic institution, had 154 on its roll last term and a constant waiting list for its 5% non-preference roll.
Principal Trisch Inder said 89% of parents surveyed a year ago said the Catholic community and education were the reasons they chose St Joseph's for their children. A total of 83% said it was the sense of belonging in family and community.
"I think that's quite a strong comment from the parents who have chosen us," Ms Inder said.
"Our Catholic roll isn't full, but there's always big interest from families who don't necessarily meet the preference criteria, that Catholic connection.
"I still encourage families to visit the school and also meet Fr Tony [Harrison] because sometimes if their child is not baptised they can still come to St Joseph's on another connection."
In 2011, seven year 8 pupils left the primary school, but 18 would leave this year, which was a significant number for a school with a capacity of 155, she said.
The proposed Speargrass Flat Rd campus for 112 pupils under St Joseph's management was intended to cater for the growing Wakatipu population, Catholic or otherwise, and parents continued to ask her about its progress.
The quality of education, class sizes always within ministry guidelines and the drive to connect with the community in Catholic schools were attractive to parents, she said.
Asked how faith manifested itself during the average St Joseph's School day, Ms Inder said it permeated everything.
"In life Jesus made a positive difference in everything he did, so we learn from the Bible of how we can [make a difference], in both school and our relationships with others ... We perceive that faith is in your life, it's not just going to Mass on Sunday and I think those values are really important for families, so they make the choice to come to a Catholic school along those lines."
