Rotary Park School pupils leave for the last time as the
school closes due to insufficient roll numbers. Photo by
Peter McIntosh.
Bitter sweet - that was how Rotary Park School pupils
described the last day of school yesterday.
Most primary schools around the country finished for the year
yesterday and most pupils ran from their classrooms, excited
about the holidays. And while Rotary Park pupils were also
excited about the Christmas break, they were also sad they
would not be returning to their school.
In June this year, the Ministry of Education decided to close
the school because of declining rolls. The closure takes
effect on January 27, 2013.
Pupil Jordan Klemick (11) was upset on what was traditionally
one of the happiest days of the school year.
''It's depressing because this is like a second home to me
and I'll never be able to come back to it again.''
Acting principal Jan Stevens agreed. She said she and other
staff at the school had been trying to be positive about the
closure for the sake of the pupils.
''I've been at this school for 17 years.
''It's hard, but there's always change and you've just got to
move on.
''Chin up ... ''
- john.lewis@odt.co.nz
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