Some families have been known to go to great lengths to secure spots at popular schools like Ascot State School. New school openings in Southeast Queensland may soon reshape enrollment boundaries, however, forcing parents to rethink where they choose to buy property or risk wait lists.
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Ascot State School, with high demand but a capacity of just 807 students, prioritises in-catchment enrollment. Some out-of-area families still attempt to secure spots, but with new schools opening, Ascot’s catchment area may shrink, sending local families elsewhere.
According to a real estate expert, some families from areas like Hendra and Clayfield outside the Ascot State School catchment boundaries still try every avenue to enrol their children there, even though they do not qualify based on zoning.
Parents often try to buy homes in boundaries of schools with strong reputations like Ascot State School, but new maps could redraw these lines.
Parents have been known to line up outside the school overnight in hopes of securing a cherished spot, sometimes purely for nostalgia reasons if they attended the state school themselves.
This comes after the state government announced plans to open two new primary schools in Redland Bay and Ipswich in 2024.
Construction on the Redland Bay site, Scenic Shores State School, is already underway for a Term 1 opening. Similarly, Bellbird Park State School in Ipswich will open all year levels from Prep to Year 6 starting Term 1 next year.
The addition of these two schools will likely trigger adjustments to school catchment zones across Queensland, impacting hundreds of families.
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Education officials regularly review and update catchment zones based on new school openings, transportation, and other factors. Whilst parents understandably seek spots at preferred schools, officials recommend exploring all options within revised neighbourhood boundaries. With early awareness of coming changes, families can navigate transitions smoothly.
Published 26-October-2023