Waverley has plans for school

RICHARD WOODD richard.woodd@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Wednesday, 23 May 2007

THERE may still be life in the Waverley High School.
The town's primary school wants to expand its student base and shift to the high school.
Intermediate pupils (year seven and eight) were part of the old high school but have had to bus daily to either Wanganui or Patea since the high school gates were locked at the end of last term. The primary school wants them back in a bid to boost its roll of 130.
Board of trustees chairman Damien Roper says these are among several options suggested by the Ministry of Education.
"The closure of the high school has left deep wounds in the community and we will be carrying out a full consultation exercise about where we go from here," he said.
"We have to consider what is best for the school and the community. It's very early days yet. We have only just had a meeting with the ministry about the options.
"If we can retain students for a few more years in Waverley that will help keep families together and it may help to attract teaching staff."
He said the timeline was very tight - whatever was decided would have to be capable of implementation by the first term of 2008.
Meanwhile, a community committee has decided to have a bronze plaque made as a memorial to the 53 years the high school operated.
Spokesperson Jo Byam says it will be hung at the town's new library when it opens about the end of June and a closure service will be held in the Baptist Church. The Ministry of Education will meet all costs.