Schools

Fears school pupils will not be pushed to achieve to the greatest of their abilities are becoming a reality under National Standards, a report shows.

Matching investment in key services such as health and education with population trends is an inexact science at the best of times. This is especially so in the South where the population is generally ageing and numbers are holding at best but declining in some areas.

The rapid growth of Queenstown's population has led to questions about whether the region has enough schools to cater for its children.

A petition calling for Forbury School to remain open has attracted more than 7500 signatures and will be presented in Parliament today.

Saying "bless you" when you sneeze at St Joseph's School in Dunedin is optional. But covering your mouth and nose is not.

Anderson's Bay School has had a triple dose of double-trouble - the Dunedin school now has three sets of new entrant twins.