Enrolments at primary schools balloon

The lunches are packed, shoes have been shined and school books have been labelled and packed neatly away in heavy bags.

Term one for 2012 begins tomorrow and primary school enrolments for the region are at an all time high, with many schools reporting frenzied enrolments right up until the end of last week.

‘‘We have experienced higher than usual enrolments this year,’’

Bunbury Primary School principal Shane Doherty said.

‘‘Many of our enrolments are for children of families relocating to the area from interstate and overseas which could be an indication of the numbers of people moving across the country to gain employment in the mining and construction industries,’’ Mr Doherty said.

Schools in Australind have also reported high enrolment figures, with places being sought across all year levels.

‘‘We expect to have around 700 students enrolled at Parkfield Primary School this term,’’ principal Charlie Serravite said.

Kingston Primary School in Australind expects student numbers to sit at around 750 this term.

Principal Alan Kidd said his school was in an area popular with young families, which reflected upon the consistent growth the school experienced.

‘‘You can never confirm these things until school starts, but we have had to put in new classrooms and are expecting between 750-760 students at Kingston Primary School this year,’’ Mr Kidd said.