Board signals Hillcrest to close
Hillcrest School in Pahiatua faces closure on January 28, 2019, a community hui was advised on Wednesday, June 13 following a series of hui last year and subsequent consultation with parents and a number of Board of Trustees meetings.
The board reluctantly came to the conclusion that they need to consider closure of the school due to the roll size, according to a government-appointed statutory manager, Kevin Palmer.
He said the Board came to an unanimous resolution which was read at the hui.
“After considerable community consultation in the latter part of 2017 and following further dialogue with school whanau this year and after careful consideration of all matters — particularly in regards to what will best serve students in terms of both achievement and social wellbeing — the board of trustees of Hillcrest School Pahiatua has resolved to request of the Ministry of Education the closure of the school.
“Following the Ministry of Education’s response (to this request) there follows a further 28 day period of consultation prior to the Board of Trustees making its final recommendation to the ministry as required by law.
“The roll for the Year 1-8 school is currently nine students, four in Year 8 — so next year the roll could be five or six.
“It is difficult to provide the best social and learning environment for just five students. The board is mindful of its own capacity.
“Schools cost money to run — infrastructure, buildings, maintenance and teaching and support staff salaries as well as curriculum resources and IT. But the number one thing is the quality of the social and learning environment for the students themselves.
“People at the meeting were disappointed but understood the rationale and the decision the Board had made. It is taking a responsible, measured approach to the decision,” he said.
The statutory manager was appointed in term three last year and has been working with the Board, looking at school sustainability.
“Can we sustain and grow the school? We’ve tried but haven’t got a viable-sized roll to continue indefinitely. There’s important memorabilia there associated with the District High School which became Tararua College. There is a careful process that needs to be undertaken with any school closure situation.
“It’s not a decision that the Board has taken taken lightly, not something that’s done in a rushed manner,” he said.
Principal Louise Ilton has been at the school for a year now.
“When any school closes, it’s sad,” she said. “With a predicted roll of five for 2019 it becomes rather challenging in more than one way. Most of all it’s what’s best for the children.
“The Board has made that decision through hard discussion around what is the best decision for the children that will be on our roll. It’s not a decision anyone wants to make. It will be now a matter of celebrating the educational achievements over the years since the school was formed in 1964,” she said.
The first state school in Pahiatua was built in 1885 in Arthur St. In 1904 the “Pahiatua School” became a district high school by the addition of a secondary department. The roll grew to 405 in 1905 when it was decided to change the site to where Hillcrest School is now due to its proximity to the town creek and the consequent danger of diptheria infection.
The great migration happened in 1909. One new building was built and two buildings were transferred from Arthur St by a traction engine. In 1910 the Education Board made a grant for the establishment of technical buildings on the hill site. A new woodwork room was built and another of the older buildings was brought up as the home-science block.
With the establishment of Tararua College in 1960, the District High School was no longer required but its buildings were used as an overflow for the Pahiatua School in Albert St which was originally built in 1953.
It was in 1964 that Hillcrest School was formed with its roll being from pupils living on the eastern side of Pahiatua. The school was opened by Sir Keith Holyoake (Prime Minister of New Zealand and eventually governor-general.)