The Education Act gives a guarantee of enrolment to students who live in the zone specified below.  

• The Board of Trustees needs to be sure that an in-zone address is genuine.
• The address given at the time of application for enrolment must be the student’s usual place of residence when the College is open for instruction.
• Parents are obliged to tell the College of any subsequent changes of address.

• The student must be living at an in-zone address before his/her first day of attendance at the College.

 The Ministry of Education has advised that parents should also be warned of the possible consequences of deliberately attempting to gain unfair priority in enrolment by knowingly giving a false address or making an in-zone living arrangement which they intend to be temporary, e.g.

• renting accommodation in-zone on a short-term basis;
• arranging temporary board in-zone with a relative or family friend;
• using the in-zone address of a relative or friend as an “address of convenience”, with no intention to live there on an ongoing basis.

The consequences of trying to gain such unfair priority can result in the College withdrawing any offer of a place which it may have made on the basis of the given address. Unless the parents can give a satisfactory explanation within 10 days, the Board of Trustees may annul the enrolment – even if the student has started to attend the College.  This course of action is provided for under Section 11OA of the Education Act 1989.

Normal changes of address (even to an out-of-zone address after attendance has started) would not be a cause for concern.

If any issues arise from the information provided, the Board of Trustees may wish to interview you to ensure the genuineness of the application.

The Board of Trustees will determine if there is any room for out-of-zone students after allowing for all of the in-zone enrolments.  A ballot will be held if there are more applicants than spaces available.  The ballot will be conducted on those enrolments received by the due date (24 August 2012).  The ballot will be run in accordance with Ministry requirements and the College must apply the following priorities:

• First priority must be given to students who meet the criteria for enrolment in an approved special programme run by the College (Special Education – maximum 42 or Job Track – maximum 40).  Other special conditions may also apply.
• Second priority must be given to siblings of current students.
• Third priority must be given to siblings of former students.
• Fourth priority must be given to children of Board of Trustees employees.
• Fifth priority must be given to all other students.

In situations where the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available for out-of-zone students, selection will be by ballot. If a ballot is required at our College, it will be held on (3 September 2012) and will be supervised by a Justice of the Peace (or, other approved person). Within three school days of this date, the College will send you a letter informing you of the outcome of the ballot. If your application has been successful, you will be asked to confirm your acceptance or rejection of the offered place within 14 days of the date on the College's letter. If you do not respond within the 14 day period, the place will be offered to the next person on the waiting list established by the ballot.

Description of Waimea College Zone – see the map

• Start from where Wills Road meets the Inland Highway.
• Draw a line from this intersection to the intersection of Marriages Road and the Coastal Highway and on to the sea.
• Follow south-east along the coast to include Rabbit Island, re-joining at Saxton Road.
• Extend the line of Saxton Road to the south-east to meet a line running from Clover Knob to Gordons Knob and then north from Gordons Knob to Spooners Saddle on Highway 6.
• From there, in a straight line to the top of the Rosedale Saddle, then to the south-western end of Wills Road and along Wills Road to where it meets the Inland Highway.

Note: Addresses in Wills Road would be deemed to be in the Waimea College zone as defined by the line drawn between Gordons Knob and the Coastal Highway on the map provided.