Parents slept outside Ascot State School over the weekend in a bid to snag their child a coveted spot at educational facility. The prestigious government primary school is highly regarded in Brisbane and the wait list for available spots officially opened at 8am this morning.
The school is heavily regulated through a catchment area, which prioritises the admission of students based on where they live in relation to the school. The wait list is for children who live outside this catchment area.
Nicole Scarinci was the first parent in line, and has been camped out since 10am Saturday morning. By Sunday night eight families had joined her, and by Monday morning, the number had grown to 15.
“We just spoke to the principal and she seems to think that it’s not even guaranteed that we will get a spot so it’s still up in the air,” Nicole told the Courier Mail.
Waiting parents will get an enrolment form with a number on it, and some parents are confident their queuing will be worth it.
“Some years they [Ascot State School] take quite a few and some years they take none is what I believe, so we have our fingers crossed,” fifth-in-line and nearby resident Elissa Morley said, after waiting since 7.30am on Sunday.
The parents and families seem to be in good spirits, with most waiting on camp chairs and some even choosing to bring in a mattress for an overnight stay.
“There was a bit of camaraderie on the footpath there, all the parents having a chat” Elissa said of the group, whose sense of solidarity has lifted morale.
For some parents the wait was just too much, with reports of nannies and friends paid up to $400 to secure a spot, a bargain price for admission.
The coveted school is known for its extensive music and extracurricular program, and its unique grades program where students study at their own level, rather than the level prescribed to them in the curriculum.
Although 15 groups seem like a lot, more than 30 groups have been reported in previous years, with the annual gathering known to the school and community.
Good luck to the families who spent the night sleeping rough!
