Survey report of the future of Catholic Schooling in the

For the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dunedin

By: Strategies Marketing Consultancy Ltd – Marijke Dunselman

www.strategiesmarketing.co.nz August 2016

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Table of Contents Acknowledgements ...... 3 1. Context and Methodology ...... 3 2. Executive Summary ...... 4 2.1 Rationale and purpose...... 4 2.2 Conclusions ...... 5 2.3 Summary of key survey findings ...... 6 2.4 Summary of comments ...... 15

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Acknowledgements A big thank you to the people who have taken the time to fill in the survey; parents or guardians of children at St Joseph’s, parents or guardians of children at other schools, parishioners of St Joseph’s Church and other interested people. They have provided us with solid information and feedback on the future of Catholic Schooling in the Wakatipu Basin.

Thanks also to Gerald Scanlan, Gigi Hollyer, Trisch Inder and the board of Trustees of St Joseph’s School, who have helped with the development and testing of the survey and encouraged a total of 223 people to take the survey.

The survey was distributed to St Joseph’s School parents, early childhood centres in the Wakatipu, several large local Facebook Groups such as Queenstown Trading and there has been an article in the Mountain Scene.

1. Context and Methodology A total of 223 people filled in the survey and 130 respondents put their name and email down to be kept up to date on the school development.

There are 93 families at St Joseph’s school and 90 respondents fell under the category Parents of children at St Josephs. It can therefore be assumed that the majority of St Joseph’s parents filled in the survey.

154 of the respondents were Catholic.

According to the 2013 Census, the total population of the Queenstown Lakes District was 28,224 with 67% living in the Queenstown school area (source: 2013 Census Statistics NZ). The number of Catholics for the Queenstown Lakes District was 3,045. Therefore, the number of Catholics in the Queenstown area is assumed to be 2,040 (67% of total).

The survey’s confidence level (the probability that the sample’s results can be inferred on the survey’s population): 95% (Survey industry standard is 95%).

The margin of error is the plus/minus range that can be placed on the sample’s results to indicate where the population’s results would fail. The industry standard is 5%.

 For the number of St Joseph’s parents who filled in the survey (90) as a total of all St Joseph’s school parents (93) the margin of error is +/- 2%.  For the number of Catholic respondents (or have Catholic a connection as per enrolment criteria) (154) as a total of all Catholics in the Queenstown area (2,040), the margin of error is +/- 7.6%.

The draft survey was sent to the working group and school board to review and test.

The survey was executed online, using the online survey programme “Survey Monkey” (www.surveymonkey.com), offering sophisticated data reporting and cross-tabulation. Note that there are numerous ways to cross-tabulate the survey results. In the future, if there is a need to learn specific information about a particular group, then the survey software can easily get these results.

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2. Executive Summary 2.1 Rationale and purpose The Catholic Diocese (as owner of Catholic schools in and Southland, through the Bishop) and the parish of Queenstown are exploring future options for Catholic schooling in response to current and predicted population growth.

The current school site is small and no longer central to the population it serves. The school has lost ‘market share’ to newer, larger State schools in high-growth locations between Frankton and . There is anecdotal evidence that parents who would prefer Catholic schooling for their children are sending them to State schools for reasons of proximity and household convenience (work, transport, recreation, shopping).

The parish and Diocese would like to understand better the priorities and preferences driving school selection by current or intending parents and how they would respond to a more central location for a Catholic school.

We would also like to understand better how current and intending parents view the school/parish connection, the importance to them of parish and church activities as part of the choice for Catholic education and how the parish could better support and connect with families at the Catholic school.

The purpose of this survey is to gauge opinion on Catholic education in the Wakatipu region.

Currently about 5% primary aged students are getting a Catholic Education in the region. It would be desirable to get this figure to a level of 10-12% of primary aged children in line with other parts of the Otago/Southland Diocese.

To future-proof Catholic Education as a choice for families living here, more growth needs to be allowed for and a couple of options are being assessed:

 Refurbish the current school buildings and grounds  Relocate the school to a new location near Frankton, possibly in Remarkables Park

Feedback of stakeholders will contribute to ensuring the best decisions are made for the Catholic school community moving forward.

The survey report highlights the main findings as well as well as the question comments summary, providing more qualitative information.

The appendices contain the survey comments and the survey results. At the end of the report, there are notes of a meeting held with the Ministry of Education in June 2016.

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2.2 Conclusions The 223 survey respondents belonged to one of the following groups:

 Parent/guardian of student(s) at St Joseph’s School and/or with child/ren at an early childhood centre: 90 of a total of 93 school families responded to the survey, which is a very high response rate.  Parent/guardian of students at another primary school, and/or child/ren at an early childhood centre: 61 respondents  Not yet a parent but planning to be: 6 respondents  Parishioner of St Joseph’s with NO children at primary school or at an early childhood centre: 30 respondents  None of the above (but interested): 36 respondents

The main criteria for school selection of respondents are values of the school, size of the school and reputation, and proximity to home.

Currently, 52% of St Joseph’s families live closer to the Frankton area and 48% closer to downtown Queenstown. Despite this, 60% of St Joseph’s parents support a move to Frankton and 21% say maybe. Of all respondents, 56% support a move and 20% say maybe.

73% of parishioners consider the school-parish link extremely important, very important or moderately important. However, of all respondents only 45% consider it extremely, very or moderately important to have the school close to the church, and 52% of St Joseph’s parents.

Having a multi-purpose school hall for church services as well as other activities could be a solution.

Part of St Joseph’s parents like the smaller size school but most don’t like the small size of the grounds and older buildings of the current location. For the small number of people that prefer the school to stay in its current location, a redevelopment is supported.

Since this survey has been conducted, there have been uncertainties regarding the school buses stopping as a result of the high school moving to Frankton and Melbourne Street possibly becoming a main road. The survey results relating to these topics have therefore not been included in the conclusions, even though these are likely to happen in the next years.

Issues raised such as transport to school and the cost of a new school will need to be clarified.

A clear plan for a possible new school location with solutions to the issues mentioned and developed in consultation with the working group and stakeholders will move this project forward.

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2.3 Summary of key survey findings

Group respondents belong to:  40.4% (90 people): Parent/guardian of student(s) at St Joseph’s School and/or with child/ren at an early childhood centre  27.3% (61 people): Parent/guardian of students at another primary school, and/or child/ren at an early childhood centre  2.7% (6 people): Not yet a parent but planning to be  13.5% (30 people): Parishioner of St Joseph’s with NO children at primary school or at an early childhood centre  16.1% (36 people): None of the above (but interested)

Age: 15% of people surveyed are between 25 and 34 years old, 47% between 35 and 44 and 21% between 45 and 54 years old.

Number of primary school-aged or younger children: 29% have no primary school-aged or younger children, 27% have 1, 35% have 2, and 9% have 3 or 4 primary school-aged or younger children.

Where do respondents live: 66% live in , Frankton, Jack’s Point, Kelvin Heights, , , and the Wakatipu Basin.

32% live in Arthur’s Point, Fernhill, Goldfield Heights, , Queenstown (Downtown & ), Bob’s Cove and Glenorchy

2% live in other parts of New Zealand

Current St Joseph’s School families live in: 52% live in Arrowtown, Frankton, Jack’s Point, Kelvin Heights, Lake Hayes Estate, Shotover Country, Quail Rise and the Wakatipu Basin.

48% live in Arthur’s Point, Fernhill, Goldfield Heights, Sunshine Bay, Queenstown (Downtown & Queenstown Hill), Bob’s Cove and Glenorchy.

Location of where respondents live 66% 70% 60% 52% 48% 50% 40% 32% 30% 20% 10% 2% 0% Arthur’s Point, Fernhill, Arrowtown, Frankton, Jack’s Goldfield Heights, Sunshine Point, Kelvin Heights, Lake Bay, Queenstown Hayes Estate, Shotover Other (Downtown & Queenstown Country, Quail Rise and the Hill), Bob’s Cove and Wakatipu Basin Glenorchy All respondents 66% 32% 2% St Joseph's families 52% 48%

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Top 5 Primary schools the children of respondents are currently attending:

53.3% St Joseph’s School 7.3% Queenstown Primary School 6.7% Arrowtown Primary School 5.3% Remarkables Primary School 2.7% Shotover School

Top 5 early childhood centres the children of respondents are attending:

14.7% Montessori, Queenstown 8.7% Zig Zag Zoo, Frankton 6% Frankton Playcentre 5.3% Wakatipu Kindergarten 4.7% Queenstown Preschool Nursery

Criteria to decide what school respondents’ child/ren go to:

The top 3 criteria to decide what school their children go to for all respondents are values of the school, reputation and size of the school.

For St Joseph’s parents, the top 3 reasons are values of the school, size of the school, and reputation. The proximity to home was less important to St Joseph’s parents than other groups.

Reasons parents decide what school children go to 100% 90% 84% 79% 80% 73% 70% 66% 57% 60% 53% 53% 50% 50% 42% 40% 34% 34% 40% 32%31% 30% 24% 22% 23% 19% 18% 20% 13% 12% 10% 11% 8% 9% 8%8%7% 8% 10% 6% 6% 6% 6% 0%

All respondents (223)

St Joseph’s parents only (90)

Catholic or have a Catholic connection as per enrolment criteria (154)

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All respondents (223) St Joseph’s parents only Catholic or have Catholic a (90) connection as per enrolment criteria (154) 73% Values of the school 84% Values of the school 79% Values of the school 53% Reputation 66% Size of school 53% Reputation 42% Size of school (number of students) 50% Size of school (number of students) 57% Reputation (number of students) 40% Proximity to home 32% Recommendation 34% Proximity to home 34% Recommendations from other parents 31% Recommendation from others 24% Proximity to home from other parents 19% Student 23% Student 22% Student achievements achievement/national achievement/national / national standards standards standards 18% Zoning 11% Parent went to the 12% Zoning 13% Friends go there same school 9% Size of grounds 10% Size of grounds 8% After school care 8% Parent went to the 8% After school care 6% Zoning same school 6% Parent went to the 6% Friends go there 8% Friends go there same school 6% Size of grounds 7% After school care

Catholic or have a Catholic connection as per enrolment criteria (212 respondents):

Catholic or have a Catholic connection as per enrolment criteria (all respondents)

27.40%

72.60%

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Importance of having St Joseph’s School close to the Church

Slightly more St Joseph’s parents find having St Joseph’s school close to the church important.

Importance of having St Joseph's School close to the church 60% 55% 52% 48% 50% 45%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0% Extremely/very/moderately important Slightly/not at all important/NA

All respondents St Joseph's parents only

All respondents St Joseph’s parents only Extremely important 8% Extremely important 11% Very important 16% Very important 20% Moderately important 21% Moderately important 21% Slightly important 16% Slightly important 20% Not important at all 25% Not important at all 23% N/A 15% N/A 5%

Importance of school/parish link to parishioners (pop 113, people who ticked N/A have been taken out of this question)

Overall the school/parish link is considered very important to parishioners.

Extremely important: 16% Very important: 33% Moderately important: 24% Slightly important: 14% Not important at all: 13%

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Opinion of strength of school/parish link currently (pop 149, people who ticked N/A have been taken out of this question)

Overall, respondents consider the school/parish link currently strong.

Extremely strong: 4% Very strong: 33% Moderately strong: 33% Slightly strong: 17% Not strong at all: 13%

Support of a redevelopment if preference is the current site for St Joseph’s school in Melbourne St (total 23 respondents)

The majority of the people who prefer the current site, are in favour of a redevelopment.

Support of a redevelopment if preference is the current site for St Joseph’s school in Melbourne St 100% 87.5% 78% 80%

60%

40%

13% 20% 9% 12.5% 0.0% 0% Yes No Maybe

All respondents (23) St Joseph’s parents only (16)

All respondents (23) St Joseph’s parents only (16) Yes: 78% Yes: 87.5% No: 13% No: 0% Maybe: 9% Maybe: 12.5%

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Positives about current location in Melbourne Street

The main positives mentioned about the current location are: proximity to town, history, being next to the church and its small size.

Positives about current location Melbourne Street

60% 54% 56% 51% 50% 46% 47% 42% 39% 40% 32% 30% 20% 20% 16% 11% 10% 10% 6% 6%

0% Next to church History Proximity to Small size I don’t know Status quo we Other town know what we have

All respondents (194) St Joseph’s parents (90)

All respondents (194) St Joseph’s parents (90) Next to church: 46% Proximity to town: 56% History: 42% History: 54% Proximity to town: 39% Next to church: 51% Small size: 32% Small size: 47% I don’t know: 20% Status quo; we know what we have: 16% Status quo we know what we have: 11% I don't know: 6% Other: 10% Other: 6%

Negatives about current location in Melbourne Street

The main negatives of the current location are the size of the grounds, old buildings, and the school not growing in line with the population growth.

Negatives about current school location in Melbourne St

70% 61% 60% 52% 48% 44% 50% 41% 41% 38% 40% 39% 34% 40% 31% 30% 23% 20% 16% 8% 10% 0% The size of the School buses to Old buildings The school not Melbourne Location; away I don't know grounds town are likely growing in line Street is from population to stop in 2018 with the becoming a growth population main road growth

All respondents (194) St Joseph’s parents (90)

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All respondents (194) St Joseph’s parents (90) The size of the grounds: 52% The size of the grounds: 61% School buses to town are likely to stop in Old buildings: 48% 2018: 41% School buses to town are likely to stop in Old buildings: 38% 2018: 44% The school not growing in line with the Melbourne Street is becoming a main population growth (current maximum roll: road: 41% 175 students): 40% The school not growing in line with the Melbourne Street is becoming a main population growth (current maximum roll: road: 39% 175 students): 34% Location; away from population growth: Location; away from population growth: 31% 23% I don't know: 16% I don't know: 8%

Positives about the possible new site in Frankton

The main positives mentioned about the possible new site in Frankton are its sunny location, larger grounds, more opportunities for extracurricular activities, opportunity for a multi-use hall/space (for parish and community use), location: it is opposite the new High School, and close to growing neighbourhoods

Positives about the possible Frankton school site

70% 63% 60%61% 57% 56% 60% 53% 51%54% 48%48% 47% 46% 43% 50% 39% 40% 32% 34% 30% 20% 13%10% 10% 0%

All respondents (194) St Joseph’s parents (90)

All respondents (194) St Joseph’s parents (90) Sunny location: 57% Sunny location: 63% Larger grounds: 60% Larger grounds: 61% Close to growing neighbourhoods: 53% More opportunities for extracurricular Opportunity for a multi-use hall/space (for activities: 56% parish and community use): 51% Opportunity for a multi-use hall/space (for Location: it is opposite the new High parish and community use): 54% School: 48% Location: it is opposite the new High More opportunities for extracurricular School: 48% activities: 47% Close to growing neighbourhoods: 46% Larger school (up to 300 students): 43% On local bus route: 34% On local bus route: 39% Larger school (up to 300 students): 32% I don't know: 13% I don't know: 10%

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Negatives about the possible new site in Frankton

The main negatives mentioned about the possible new site are: preference of a smaller size school, distance from house, and prefer school closer to the church.

Negatives about the possible new Frankton school site 60% 52% 50% 41% 40% 37%

30% 21% 20% 18% 18% 18% 20% 16% 11% 10% 1% 2% 0% Prefer a smaller Distance from I don't like Prefer school N/A Other size school our house change closer to church

All respondents (194) St Joseph’s parents (87)

All respondents (194) St Joseph’s parents (87) Prefer a smaller size school: 21% Prefer a smaller size school: 37% Changing location doesn't work for us due Changing location doesn't work for us due to the distance from our house: 11% to the distance from our house: 20% I don't like change: 1% I don't like change: 2% Prefer school to be closer to church: 18% Prefer school to be closer to church: 16% N/A: 52% N/A: 41% Other (please specify): 18% Other (please specify): 18%

Support of St Joseph’s School moving to Frankton

The majority of respondents ticked yes or maybe (total for all respondents 76%, and St’ Joseph’s parents only: 81%). Support St Joseph's school move to Frankton 70% 60% 60% 56%

50%

40%

30% 21% 20% 18% 20% 12% 12% 10% 1% 0% Yes Maybe No N/A

All respondents (194) St Joseph’s parents (90)

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All respondents (194) St Joseph’s parents (90) Yes: 56.2% Yes: 59.8% Maybe: 19.6% Maybe: 20.7% No: 12.4% No: 18.4% N/A: 11.9% N/A: 1.1%

Support St Joseph’s School moving to Frankton related to where people live

People who support the school moving to Frankton mainly live in Arrowtown, Frankton, Lake Hayes Estate, Queenstown (downtown & Qt Hill), Jack’s Point

Residential location vs school site preference

Other (please specify) 16 4 3 Wakatipu Basin 101 Quail Rise 2 0 2 Queenstown (Downtown & Qt Hill) 11 8 8 Sunshine Bay 10 2 Shotover Country 2 1 1 Lake Hayes Estate 14 1 3 Kelvin Heights 5 0 4 Jack's Point 10 1 1 Goldfield's Heights 4 3 1 Frankton 15 1 3 Fernhill 7 1 4 Arthur's Point 3 3 2 Arrowtown 18 1 3 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Yes No Maybe

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2.4 Summary of comments Many of the comments regarding how people decide what school their children go to relate to their Catholic background and wanting their children to have a Catholic education. They also like the small class sizes.

The majority of comments about the importance of having St Joseph’s close to the school related to the importance of it, but also that it could be a hall next to the school with the same purpose.

Comments relating to the school/parish link were mixed but the overall feeling is that this linked could be improved. There were a lot of positive comments about the prayer partner programme.

Ideas on how to improve the school/parish link include: hold a school/parish social event such as a mid-winter Christmas dinner, other events such as book fairs and school productions, widen the net for prayer partners, school choir singing during masses, hold family masses at family friendly times and have school children joint the various church activities, more help from parents in the church, include school news in parish newsletter, parishioners helping with programmes in the school.

Positive comments about the current Melbourne St location include that it’s an excellent location and school, small classroom numbers, everyone knows each other, has potential for redevelopment, close to amenities, close to parents’ work and where they live, plenty of extra- curricular activities available independent of school and with the school, and school bus route and Melbourne St being a main road deferred to 2040 so currently not an issue, not having to compete with other new schools Frankton.

Negative comments about the current Melbourne St location include lack of space (small size of grounds) and no space for future expansion, parking and getting in and out (traffic), old buildings (not state of the art), away from population growth.

Positive comments about the possible new site in Frankton include: if school will attract 300 pupils in next 20 to 30 years, larger grounds would benefit, brilliant idea – land should be seized immediately, new building, lots of fundraising – may bring community together as a common goal.

Negative comments about the possible new site in Frankton include traffic issues, funding & cost (also managing cost of community school hall and playground), airport noise and safety, close to high school, too many schools in that direction, moving away from current iconic and historic site, cost better spent on school bus, suburb will be old in 20 years’ time and could be deemed to be the wrong place again.

There were more positive than negative comments whether people would support St Joseph’s school moving to Frankton. Positive comments included that if the school and the parish want to be in a known and recognised part of the town in the future, bigger premises would be required, good or better facilities than Remarkables School, state of the art school closer to us, for the good of our children and the growth of our roll, the bigger the better, bigger playgrounds and new build focus. Negative comments about the possible new location included that the distance is too big, current school has an amazing location, relocation would be costly, don’t think that the school would get 300 students unless criteria are relaxed a bit.

The final comments had more positive than negative comments about the possible new site in Frankton. They are in line with the comments above.

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