The Auckland diocese has announcing that from 2017 Hato Petera College will operate as a College for day students only. No hostel facilities will be available.
The Bishop of Auckland, Patrick Dunn, said he was disappointed by Minister of Education’s decision not to close the school.
The a co-educational Year 9-13 state integrated school is located in Northcote on Auckland’s North Shore. On 1st July 2016 the stood at of 49 students, with all of these students identifying as Maori. 90% of the students are boarders.
The hostel was closed in October after the Ministry of Education revoked the Hostel licence “out of concern about the ability of the hostel management and staff to provide a safe environment for boarders”.
In July 2016 Bishop Dunn initiated an extensive consultation process on the long term viability of the College, with the possibility of closure.
This consultation process was undertaken by three independent education consultants and included six public hui and four stakeholder hui, along with a number of submissions by interested parties.
The consultation process focused on the following key concerns about the College’s long term viability:
- the low roll
- the limited breadth of the curriculum being offered to students
- the College’s financial position
- the College’s breach of the Integration Agreement
- the breakdown of relationships between the Board of Trustees and the governing body responsible for the boarding hostel.
Bishop Dunn says: “After considering all of the information from the consultation process, my concerns remain.”
“In particular, the Consultation Report questions the ability of the College to provide an education that best meets the needs of students, and the opportunities for them to excel to the best of their abilities in the rapidly changing education environment of the 21st century.”
“Having said this I will respect the decision of the Minister.”
The Bishop, who is the proprietor of the school, will continue work with the Ministry of Education on the matter.
Source
- Supplied
- tvnz.co.nz
- Image: i.ytimg.com
