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Schools tell kids: sorry, we're full

PUBLIC schools are turning away students because they have run out of classroom space and do not want to fill their playgrounds with demountables reports Hannah Edwards Sun-Herald Education Reporter February 4, 2007.

Changing demographics, a flow of students back into public schools and the State Government's $710 million class-size reduction policy are all placing an extra strain on resources.

Most affected are schools in the high-density eastern- and inner-city suburbs, where there is limited space to expand.

Bronte Public School has had to turn away pupils from outside its local area. "Demand is growing," principal Pam Crawley said.

"We are limited to [taking students from] within the area and siblings simply because we don't have any more space," Ms Crawley said.

She said an increasing number of people were eager to send their children to local public schools.

"People value the fact their children are starting in their local school and getting a sense of community," she said.

Kensington Public School principal and Public School Principals Forum spokeswoman Annie Jones has had to turn away up to 50 children from kindergarten each year - and between 20 and 40 from years 1 to 6 - because of a lack of space.

She does not want to take in any demountable classrooms which she said would encroach on the playground area.

NSW Teachers Federation eastern suburbs and inner city representative Michelle Rosicky said the schools experiencing a lack of room tended to be older and had limited land.

"The problem is, in the eastern suburbs, if those parents can't get their kids into Coogee, Clovelly and Bronte [public schools] they will send them to private schools."

NSW Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt said strong enrolments were a positive sign for public schools.

"Significant enrolment growth at schools across Sydney's eastern suburbs is fantastic news and further proof that our record investment in public education is working," she said.