Hillcrest School closes
Hillcrest School in Pahiatua closes on January 27.
The Year 1 to 8 school has received confirmation from the Ministry of Education that it will officially close.
The school’s board reluctantly came to the conclusion last year that they needed to consider closure of the school due to the roll size, according to governmentappointed statutory manager Kevin Palmer.
“In the best interests of the students from a learning, achievement and social wellbeing perspective, the board took the difficult but logical decision that school closure was the best option,” he said.
While some of its 12 current students will move out of the district or to Tararua College, the remaining students will be attending Pahiatua or Mangatainoka schools.
Hillcrest School’s teaching equipment will be transferred to schools around Pahiatua and objects with historical importance will be lodged at the Pahiatua and Districts’ Museum.
Responsibility for the school site and buildings will pass from the school board back to the Ministry of Education after January 27. The buildings will then be subject to the Public Works Act and Treaty of Waitangi processes.
Principal Louise Ilton had been at the school for a year and a half.
“When any school closes, it’s sad,” she said. “With a predicted roll of five for 2019 it became rather challenging in more than one way. Most of all it’s what’s best for the children.”