Options for H¯awera schools unveiled
After years in limbo, Ha¯ wera’s schools now face another round of consultation on their future.
Both options on offer would see the end of the town’s standalone intermediate school.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins was today due to announce a final community consultation before he makes a decision.
In a statement, Hipkins said previous discussions showed there was support for a change from the status quo of standalone intermediate and high schools.
‘‘The preferred options are for primary schools to be extended to year 7 and 8, or for a year 7-13 high school to replace the current intermediate and high school.’’
The second proposal would either merge the intermediate and high school, or close both with the establishment of a year 7-13 school on the 5.5 hectare site of the current high school in Camberwell Rd.
‘‘We’re going back out to consult formally with schools about what would work best for learners, their wha¯ nau and the wider community,’’ Hipkins said. ‘‘Formal consultation will enable schools to have a further say on their preference, before a final decision later this year.’’
The town’s intermediate and high schools have been waiting for substantial rebuilding projects following a fire that destroyed a large part of the intermediate in October 2015.
The high school has had historical issues with weather tightness and earthquake strengthening.
In December 2019, the ministry asked the school boards to consider the best option for the future before it committed the substantial money needed to rebuild the schools.
An independent consultant began the consultation process in February 2020, but was delayed by the Covid-19 lockdown. A draft report was sent to the ministry just before the election. The current review is the second to be done. A similar exercise in 2017 resulted in a decision to retain the status quo.
‘‘Our initial engagement, some years back after fire destroyed much of the local intermediate, was not conclusive,’’ Hipkins said. ‘‘But this time around the two preferred options show the community is keen to change how education is delivered.’’