New classes for Manawatu¯ schools
Two Manawatu¯ schools are getting new classrooms to help with burgeoning rolls as part of a $2.5 million spend on teaching spaces in the region.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins this week announced a new school for Tauranga and 50 new classrooms in Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Manawatu¯ and Whanganui, for about
1300 extra places at 23 schools.
Hipkins said three Manawatu¯ -Whanganui schools were getting five new classrooms, for 106 extra children.
Ashhurst School will get three new classrooms and Tokomaru School one as part of the national education growth plan, which forecasts an additional 100,000 places for children are needed across New Zealand by 2030.
Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ ori o Tu¯ poho in Whanganui is also getting one new classroom. ‘‘Combined, this is a $45m investment in our schools and further announcements will be made for these regions when planning is more advanced,’’ Hipkins said. Tokomaru principal Sonia Mudgway was thrilled at the news. The school implemented an enrolment zone late last year in response to growing numbers. The school roll was 71 in 2016, but is now 114 and seven year 1 students will soon join the school. Tokomaru converted its library into a classroom because it needed extra teaching space, so the library will be restored to a multiuse room once the new classroom is built. ‘‘It’s something we have worked hard for with the ministry to be considered for a roll-growth classroom. It’s been quicker than I thought it would be.’’
Mudgway said she wanted five dedicated teaching spaces as well as a library, which the school didn’t have the luxury of now. The school doesn’t have a hall and everyone has to cross the road to use the community hall if required.
Ashhurst principal Heath Chittenden said he was excited about getting three new classes at the school to keep up with the town’s population growth.
‘‘It’s great news for us and good news for our community. ‘‘
The school introduced an enrolment zone last year and the school’s roll is about 460, but Chittenden said it could climb to 474 later this year.
He said the new teaching spaces would help because the school promoted small classroom sizes.
Hipkins released the education growth plans this week and he said for too long schools had to make do by using libraries and school halls when their rolls increased.
‘‘We want New Zealand to be the best place to be a child and that means learning in warm, comfortable and modern classrooms.’’
According to Ministry of Education information, Palmerston North’s population was expected to be 95,000-103,000 by 2030, with growth mainly in Kelvin Grove, Whakarongo, Ashhurst and Aokautere.