The New South Wales Department of Education's (DoE) new out-of-area enrolment policy defines clearer boundaries for designated schools from 2020.
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Under the policy, each school has a cap on the number of non-local enrolments it can accept. There is also a buffer which must be reserved for students within that schools zone.
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Out-of-area applications will be restricted to criteria and will be evaluated by a selection panel which is representative of the school community.
In Yass, Melissa and David de Jong want to send four-year-old Jonah to the same school as his sister Alianna, but are worried he won't be accepted under the revised policy.
Mr and Mrs de Jong live in the catchment area for Yass Public, where Alianna is enrolled, but will move into Berinba Public's catchment area early next year.
"I had heard a rumour that siblings would be able to follow," Mrs de Jong said. "If this is not the case, then I'll be really upset because, with Jonah's special needs, he needs his big sister to look out for him.
"I would really hate to change Alianna's school as she has already settled in and we really like it there."
The Enrolment of Students in NSW Government Schools policy was updated on August 14 and applies to new enrolments in 2020.
"Across the state, many communities are changing. Some schools that used to be able to accept out-of-area enrolments no longer have the room to do so," a spokesperson for the DoE said.
The policy was revised to ensure every student had a place at their local school, the spokesperson said.
Changes do not impact non-government schools.
Local principals have said that they will work with families to ensure the best outcome for the child.
Crookwell High School principal Vero Joseph said schools within the Uplands Learning Community are working cooperatively.
"We will do the right things by each other; have open lines of communication and; ensure it is in the best needs of the child," he said.
"You can send your child to any school in this zone and they'll get a great education.
The Uplands Learning Community includes Bigga Public, Binda Public, Laggan Public, Taralga Public, Crookwell Public and Crookwell High schools. Dalton and Gunning Public belong to the Binit Binit Learning Community.
Parents enrolling their child from 2020 will be asked to complete the 100-point residential address check to confirm they live within the school's designated intake area.
Students currently enrolled will not be affected.
- Use the NSW Public School Finder to see which school zone you live in.
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