RICHARD WOODDrichard.woodd@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News Tuesday, 24 April 2007
Patea School principal Te Aroha Mackintosh wept yesterday as she welcomed 14 students from Waverley High School, which closed last Friday.
Added to earlier transfers from the struggling Waverley institution, Patea Area School's roll has grown by 33 to 158. Two teachers have also transferred to Patea.
"It's a sad day for Waverley, but how lucky we are that these families chose Patea Area School?" Mrs Mackintosh told the first assembly of the new term.
"It wasn't so long ago that we lost a primary school in Patea, but from that we formed the present area school."
Education Minister Trevor Mallard in July 2004 announced he was closing both the Patea schools. The high school roll then was 88, the primary 40.
The public backlash resulted in approval for a merger to create an area school, which opened in February 2005 with a roll of 130 and a ministerial challenge to raise it to 170 in 12 months.
Mrs Mackintosh said that although the area's population was not growing, the school could remain viable with a roll of about 150.
The students were led onto the area school campus by Waverley kuia Mere Pirikahu.
Mrs Mackintosh, who was herself educated at Waverley High and has been a strong advocate for keeping it open, said it was the responsibility of the board, staff and students to make the new arrivals feel safe, happy and wanted at Patea.
Other speakers said there was no place for bullying, racism or neighbouring town rivalries at Patea.
"We are committed to quality education and positive outcomes for all our children and we would welcome a Waverley representative on the board," Patea school board chairwoman Olivia Northcott said
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