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Hato Petera College is financially viable and academic rates are positive says principal John Matthews.
He was speaking after the first of five consultation hui arranged to discuss the future of the College.
Read more on Auckland Diocese website
The school’s roll stands at 49. Last year 85 enrolled were enrolled. The roll stood at 148 in 2009.
Only 16 students meet the special character of the school – far fewer than the required 95 percent The school’s integration agreement requires.
But Matthews wonders about the motivation behind the consultation.
“To suggest the possibility of shutting the doors is just scaremongering and you have to wonder as to the true motivation behind the consultation process.”
“Why is this consultation taking place now? And why is it necessary to move so quickly?”
Chairman of the school’s board Mate Webb said closure of the only Catholic Maori co-ed school in the country was unacceptable.
“Parents may fear closure is imminent but perhaps the bishop has jumped the gun.”
The meeting took place in Takapuna on Thursday. It was was which was closed to media.
About 20 people attended the meeting with three independent consultants hired by the diocese.
Those in attendance included families of students and both current and former staff, some of whom had left their jobs due to a perceived “unravelling” of the school in the past years.
A second meeting took place on Saturday in Kaikohe and the third on Sunday in Panguru.
There has of now been no reports about these meetings
Another meeting is planned for Sunday 14 August at Te Kamaka Marae, Hato Petera College.
The final meeting will be on Sunday 28 August 2.00-4.00pm at Te Unga Waka Marae in Epsom.
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