Takaka school looks to future
A ‘‘perfect storm’’ of changes, struggles and upheavals led to a disruptive year for a Golden Bay school, but it’s looking toward the future with hope and optimism as it rebuilds itself from the ground up.
About 150 parents, caregivers, staff, students and members of the community were invited to a community consultation to record their hopes, fears and wishes for the future direction of Golden Bay High School on Thursday night.
Earlier this year, limited statutory manager Alison McAlpine was called in to help govern and sort out serious issues around leadership, employment, finance and property.
The board had requested intervention after a number of issues were identified in the Education Review Office’s (ERO) draft review in March.
The school, which has a role of 359 students, has been in limbo since former principal Katrina Hutton took maternity leave in March for the birth of her 10th child, but then resigned at the end of September.
She had led the school for just over a year, taking over from Roger File who was principal for 16 years.
Board of Trustees chair Andy Williams acknowledged 2017 had been a disruptive year.
‘‘There’s been more than the standard quota of staff changes, which we readily acknowledge has led to uncertainty for students and parents alike.
He said there were retirements, year-long leave, staff and family ill- ness and maternity leave, all of which ‘‘contributed to the perfect storm’’.
‘‘We had our three yearly education review and report, and although it highlighted all the really good things we do here, it also confirmed the areas we needed to work on.
‘‘Some of these areas, the board realised we needed outside assistance with, so we asked the ministry for a limited statutory manager, and we are extremely grateful that Alison McAlpine agreed to work with us and we are in a stronger more stable position because of her.
‘‘The future is where we have come from, and where we are right now,’’ Williams said.
‘‘The past and the present, built on the lessons we have learnt, and the things we got right and the things we got wrong.
‘‘We owe it to our students to learn from the past and not dwell on it, to dream forth, plan and act out our future.’’
He said the school had an exciting year ahead of it, with new permanent staff, a new principal, and a renewed relationship with its community.
Williams said applications for the new principal close on October 31, with a new appointment planned for early November.
McAlpine said the school’s real potential was yet to be realised.
‘‘Our dream is to make Golden Bay High School the ‘go-to’ school in New Zealand – because it’s all here.
‘‘First of all there’s an amazing community; we have got staff who do their utmost for the young people ... we have got a school structure that physically, is a bit tired, but that will change.
‘‘The key thing reflected here in the room is the partnerships with the community ... it’s the good-will and energy and love of young people and belief in Golden Bay and your kids your grand kids, your neighbours, that will carry us forward,’’ McAlpine said.
Jenny Bennett, principal of Takaka Primary School and lead principal of the newly formed Community of Learning (COL), spoke about the ‘‘exciting’’ new initiative.