Tokomairiro High School principal Glenis Sim (left) shows Education Minister Hekia Parata and Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay around the Milton school yesterday.
Principals and board chairmen from 15 schools gathered at the South Otago high school to meet the minister, who answered questions about the Government's new Community of Schools policy.
Under the policy, groups of schools that sign up are given extra funding to work on improving their schools by sharing information.
The policy is designed to work with schools at all levels, because part of the focus is on easing pupils' transitions between primary, intermediate and secondary levels.
Controversially, in June, Auckland Grammar pulled out of an Auckland Central group of schools that were forming under the policy, saying it clashed with the leading secondary school's five-year plans.
Ms Parata said schools in South Otago were used to the collaborative approach expected under the policy and the meeting focused on the flexibility of the programme.
''It was very convivial actually,'' Ms Parata said.
''And it clearly demonstrated how committed all these people were - the parents from the boards and the professionals - how committed they are that kids in this part of the country get the best education possible.''
Ms Parata and Mr Barclay visited a group from Eastern Southland schools in Gore yesterday.
