Super School Option in Upper Hutt Plan
By NICHOLS, Lane
THE Education Ministry is considering plans that could see four Upper Hutt schools shut and replaced by junior and senior highs, or a “super” school for 3000 pupils.
Sources estimate costs could exceed $100 million. The city’s mayor and local MP say delays and a freeze on funding mean existing schools have deteriorated badly, disadvantaging today’s youngsters.
A working party has been considering potential sites for a new facility, with the ministry-owned Heretaunga Campus — now housing the International Campus — the preferred option.
The tertiary provider has a 20-year lease but a termination clause means it could be kicked out if it fails to reach specified growth projections.
The proposals stem from the 2003 schools review.No decision has been made on the future of Upper Hutt and Heretaunga colleges or Maidstone and Fergusson intermediates, but a report will go to Education Minister Steve Maharey within two months. Its recommendations will precede public consultations next year.
Documents obtained by The Dominion Post under the Official Information Act show the working party would prefer a junior, or “middle” school and a senior high potentially catering for 1500 pupils each. Middle schools usually take years seven to 10, and senior high schools years 11 to 13. They could form a “super” school or be situated across two sites. Existing schools were being considered, but most were nearing the end of their “useful economic life”.
The Post Primary Teachers’ Association has warned that middle schools disrupt children’s learning at a preparation stage for NCEA.
Rimutaka MP Paul Swain said the Heretaunga Campus proposal could be built without disrupting pupils, but he warned closures would stir emotions if parents no longer had choices.
Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy said: “We don’t want the next two generations of our kids used as guinea pigs. We’ve still got young people going to school every day and no money’s being spent on our schools.”
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