By Linda Clarke  March 19 2010

The school year might only be just under way for Year 8 students in Mid Canterbury, but already they are thinking about the transition to secondary school next year.

The district's biggest school, Ashburton College, provided a snapshot of their school lives in 2011 when it opened its doors to prospective students on Wednesday night.

 Several hundred families from contributing schools including Ashburton Intermediate, Borough and rural schools spent the evening exploring the campus, with senior students as tour guides.

They spent time in classrooms devoted to core subjects like English and maths, and in specialist rooms where college students study elective subjects like art, technology, languages, music and drama.

In the science lab, visitors could see the hair-raising effect of electricity; they sampled traditional German fare and checked out the manual Google facility otherwise known as the library.

Principal Grant McMillan said the 1000-strong student community was mostly concerned with making the most of opportunities at the school and staff were always looking to improve what was on offer, academically and outside the classroom.

Some 300 students will leave primary schools in the district at the end of this year; 260 are expected to choose to continue their education at Ashburton College.

Mr McMillan said many parents were already considering options for their Year 8 children and the college was competing against boarding schools and Mt Hutt College.

He said around 400 people took advantage of the open night, spending time talking to staff and investigating classroom resources. Talking points included the sheer size of the school and how it catered for special interests and needs.

"We are not an enormous college, we are of the right size to be able to hold on to a student's identity and know who they are and what they need."

He said the school also had a stable programme, staff and system though it was "not stuck in time" and able to respond to community and social changes. "And because we are 'the local college', we are highly accountable.

 "We have a responsibility to the local community and are answerable to them."

The college will send out enrolments packs in term four, and is planning another open night later in the year.

Pictured: Anna Chisholm, 12, from Wakanui School, has an electrifying experience in a science lab at Ashburton College. The school opened its doors to prospective students on Wednesday night. - Photo Carmen Rooney 170310-CR-050