College with one student faces closure
Down to one last student, the education minister is taking steps towards closing the former Ma¯ ori boarding school, Hato Petera.
The former Ma¯ori boarding school had struggled with a declining role and resources, particularly since becoming a day-school at the end of 2016.
A commissioner took over earlier this year and was determined to turn the school around, but now Lex Hamill agreed with the education minister it was time to consider whether the school was sustainable.
‘‘Despite the extensive work of the commissioner, previous boards of trustees, teaching staff and the community, concerns about the college’s finances, human resourcing, curriculum and its low student numbers remain,’’ Education Minister Chris Hipkins said in a statement yesterday.
Agreement had been reached to begin consultation about the possible cancellation of the integration agreement of Hato Patera College, Hipkins said.
‘‘Established in 1928, Hato Petera has played an important part in the lives of many students and wha¯ nau.
‘‘However, in recent years the college has struggled to attract students, Hipkins said.’’
The college faced closure and went through a similar process in 2016, but the current situation at the school had now changed, Hipkins said.
It was time to listen again to what the wha¯ nau and the diocese wanted for the college.
Hammil was supportive of the decision that the proprietor of Hato Petera College, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, and the minister had taken to initiate the consultation process.
‘‘The minister’s announcement had taken away the uncertainty and given the school direction as to a process that will determine whether the school should remain open or closed,’’ Hamill told The Press, adding the school had been in limbo.
The minister expressed concern for the remaining student; however, Hammil said, to the best of his knowledge, she was planning to attend another school next term.
It was a fine balance, but if the ministry was spend half a million dollars keeping a school going for one student, the ministry needed to review whether it could keep pouring money into the school.
Former student, GP Lance O’Sullivan has been vocal in his support of the college.
The school of 100 to 200 students that old boys remember is very different to the school of only a few students today, Hammil said.
While some blame the move to a day school for the school’s downturn, a number of factors came to play, he said.
‘‘Originally parents looked for the language for their children, but now state schools are better at providing te reo and many parents would rather send their children to a local community school, rather than going boarding,’’ Hamill said.
Following the consultation process, which will run until 14 May, the Ministry of Education will provide a summary of the feedback.
‘‘Once I’ve had a chance to consider the feedback, a decision will be made about the cancellation of the college’s integration agreement,’’ Hipkins said.