Registration numbers are up from last school year for almost every school in the South Cariboo. The net increase in students was 33.
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO), which registered 580 students compared to 573 last year, was not expecting the rise in its student population.
“Right now we’re getting full and we’re having trouble finding spots for some students…” said principal Geoff Butcher. “But hopefully we’ll have some more staff in place in the second semester to accommodate them then.”
Butcher said the staff buffers their plans when preparing for the upcoming school year, but they still weren’t expecting this many students.
PSO is currently looking for some science and math teachers plus a metal workshop teacher.
Overall, Butcher said he is happy about their numbers this year.
“It makes it more interesting, vibrant place the more kids you have. It means more staff, it means more kids doing programs, involved in sports and clubs. Everything about the way schools function, I think, functions better with a few more kids than less kids.”
RELATED: The last ten dog days of Summer in 100 Mile House
Mile 108 Elementary registered 210 students compared to 199 last year.
Ken Lucks, the school’s new principal, said this year’s registration is “well within the anticipated rate.”
“We’re a full house,” said Lucks, who added that more students bring more challenges but he is happy with the numbers.
Registration numbers
2018 vs. 2017
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School
580 up from 573
100 Mile Elementary
364 (214 English and 150 French) up from 355
Mile 108 Elementary
210 up from 199
Horse Lake Elementary
164 up from 160
Forest Grove Elementary
74 down from 76
Lac La Hache Elementary
28 up from 24
beth.audet@100milefreepress.net
