A proposal has been put forward by the School Viability Group to reduce the size of the Punchbowl Primary catchment zone and also alter the feeder high school options for students of our school. These changes will have a devastating effect on the long term viability of Punchbowl Primary School. We call on you to help stop this change.

Who:

Punchbowl Primary School celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2013 of serving and being an integral part of the local community. Our school prides itself on the quality of education it offers.  Each and every child is an important person within our school and it is this individualised, nurturing and friendly approach which really sets our school apart.  We strive hard to provide a teaching and learning environment that is personalised with a focus on developing confidence and leadership skills.  We have very high expectations of our students in both work and play.  These expectations are reflected in our high academic results and positive school culture. Punchbowl is more than a school, it is a community.

Facts & stats:

Our current student population is 305 within a current capacity of 350. This is an 87% utilisation rate indicating a strong, healthy, viable school with capacity to grow. Our neighbouring schools are at or over capacity. Punchbowl Primary School “punches above its weight” in many recognised areas:

Multiple participant and winner of Grammar Challenge

Multiple participant and winner of Maths Challenge

Strong representation in LSSSA and swimming carnivals

Above state average results in NAPLAN testing

Punchbowl Primary School has extensive grounds that could further accommodate and extend the student capacity without compromising the sporting and play opportunities of the children.

 

What:

The proposal sees the Northern boundary brought in from Wentworth Street to Waldren Street. This is part of Launceston’s most densely populated area and represents hundreds of homes. The distance to this proposed boundary is a mere 800 metres from the school but it is over 1.1 kilometres to the neighbouring school which will gain the catchment area. Punchbowl’s new proposed area is approximately 2.3km² although the neighbouring schools have catchment zones over 5km² (and are over capacity). Within the proposed zone is Punchbowl reserve, Newstead reserve, Scotch Oakburn College, Kings Meadows shopping precinct, large vacant blocks of land and several old age homes. The actual residential component of the catchment area is little over 50%.

When:

The time frame for providing feedback and letting our concerns be known is the 30th August 2013.

Why:

We see the changes as illogical, unfair, inequitable, removing choice, lacking in consistency, removing natural justice and common-sense and short-sighted.

What does it mean:

The new catchment boundaries effect the formula used to determine the number of students ‘in area’. The school population would drop from over 300 to under 200. This would immediately mean that a lower level principal would be assigned to the school. Up to five full- time teaching positions would disappear which would include specialists (physical education, art, music, etc.). This would create a spiral effect whereby the school would become less attractive to prospective families, enrolment numbers would continue to fall resulting in the school becoming non viable.

The proposal to make Punchbowl Primary School a feeder school for Queechy High School will see parent’s choice of high school removed. Students who reside on the western fringe of the catchment area would be required to travel a significant distance to attend Queechy High School when the logical and traditional choice would be to attend Kings Meadows High School.

What do we want:

We agree to the changes at the southern fringe of the zone with the removal of Carr Villa and the Launceston Golf course from the Punchbowl zone. The adjacent homes should logically be zoned to Norwood Primary School. We disagree in the strongest of terms with the change to the Northern boundary from Wentworth Street to Waldren Street. In fact we believe that the boundary should be extended further north to David Street. This would be an equitable boundary between Punchbowl and East Launceston Primary Schools. Punchbowl has current capacity (currently at 87%) and has infrastructure capacity for additional buildings/classrooms. East Launceston Primary School is at full student capacity and has no room for additional infrastructure. We do not want to see a reduction in student numbers, staff numbers, specialist programs offered or the outstanding academic, sporting and community achievements of this school due to this inequitable proposal

What can be done:

The Punchbowl Primary School Parent’s Association is coordinating a petition response to the Tasmanian Education Department. Please sign our petition ASAP either in writing or at http://chn.ge/12vc8rv 

 

The following criteria have been used to determine the school home-area maps and we believe these criteria have not been consistently adhered to in the proposed changes as identified below;

 

current school building infrastructure and current utilisation

The school has a current capacity of 350 and enrolment of 305. This represents 87% utilisation which is close to maximum ideal efficiency. The school grounds have the capacity to accommodate many more classes/rooms for future growth without compromising the play and sports areas. The closest neighbouring school to which we will be ‘losing’ zoned area to, has no further room for growth and has to leave the campus for sports and recreation. That school is already over its capacity.

current student enrolment data

The school has 305 students against a stated capacity of 350. This would drop to below 200 if the proposed changes take effect. The most significant change is moving the boundary between Punchbowl Primary and East Launceston Primary schools from Wentworth Street to Waldren Street. This is a very densely populated family residential area.

student current home address

The current student population based on home address in the Punchbowl proposed zone is approx. 150. Should the boundary of the zone be moved to an equitable point (David Street) in between Punchbowl and East Launceston Primary Schools, this number would be over 200.

distance of home address to local school

The new proposed boundaries will see residences ‘zoned’ to East Launceston Primary School that are in fact much closer to Punchbowl Primary School. The proposal to enforce Punchbowl Primary School students to attend Queechy High School will see students living adjacent to Kings Meadows High School being forced to attend Queechy.

recent school closures and amalgamation decisions

N/A

road and transport infrastructure

Punchbowl Primary School is currently well serviced to meet the current needs of the existing catchment zone and also areas on its peripheral. Students living west of Punchbowl Road who will be required to attend Queechy High School under the proposed changes will have insufficient access to transport and in many instances be required to commute into town or Kings Meadows in order to get appropriate transport.

natural geographic boundaries

We do not contest the decision to change the southern boundary of the Punchbowl Primary School zone and remove Carr Villa and the Launceston Golf Course from the zone. The few adjacent homes are closer to Norwood Primary school. The natural geographic boundary is the Kings Meadows Rivulet that runs along the side of the golf course. However, the retail/commercial precinct of Kings Meadows/Hobart Road has been added to the Punchbowl zone. This has had the effect of adding less than 25 residences. Guy street is the proposed new South/West boundary. This will see local students attending Punchbowl Primary School and then required to attend Queechy High School even though Kings Meadows High School is in Guy Street. The natural boundary on the Northern fringe, we believe should be David Street, this would increase our catchment to ensure the long term viability of Punchbowl Primary.

We thank-you for your support!

Help us to ensure Punchbowl Primary students are able to

Dream, Believe, Succeed

for many years to come!