King's still firmly opposes scheme

Dan Reddiex
Dan Reddiex
The battle between King's High School and the Ministry of Education appears to be far from over.

In the latest King's Week newsletter, rector Dan Reddiex told parents the board of trustees had not changed its position and did not want an enrolment scheme at the school.

The statement came as the principal of another Dunedin secondary school criticised the ministry for not stepping in and dealing with the King's High School situation several years ago.

However, the Ministry of Education says it has been talking to King's for the past year about managing its roll growth, with both parties expected to meet within the next week to find a solution.

Mr Reddiex said it was both ''prudent and important'' to try to work with the Ministry of Education.

''While the avenue for dialogue and discussion remains open, we intend to pursue this avenue.''

Mr Reddiex told parents if both parties reached an ''impasse'', then the board would consider its options.

The principal of a Dunedin secondary school, who wished to remain anonymous, believed the ministry's failure to act sooner had caused division among the city's schools.

''I think Dunedin used to be an extremely collaborative place, and unfortunately I don't think that environment necessarily exists to the same extent as it used to.''

The principal said schools were far more competitive these days, with some marketing themselves very aggressively.

''The amount of marketing that has been going on this year has been very aggressive and very money-consuming, and that's a tragedy when that money should be devoted to the students' education.

''Unfortunately, I think the ministry should have seen this coming two or three years ago, and stepped in at that stage when really, the impact may not have been as significant as it has been.''

The principal believed in the philosophy of parental choice and freedom for parents to decide where they send their children.

''But when a bus runs down a street, completely on the other side of the city where it is very convenient to just pop their child on the bus, is that about parental choice, or is that about convenience?

''I would like to think those parents would be supporting their local school.

''When you look at the quality of secondary schooling across the city, it is very much on a par and Otago has the highest NCEA data in the whole country.''

Bayfield High School principal Judith Forbes agreed. She said almost all Dunedin secondary schools had had enrolment schemes in place at various times during recent years, in an effort to ensure the best possible educational outcomes for all Dunedin young people.

''Dunedin families have a wide range of excellent schooling choices available to them, and parents can be confident that their young people will be provided with excellent teaching, great pastoral care, and a wealth of opportunities whichever school they choose.''

She said it was ''unfortunate and disappointing'' the situation had reached this level of disagreement.

Logan Park High School principal Jane Johnson was pleased King's and the ministry had finally agreed to meet, but was concerned King's appeared to have no intention of reining in its roll.

She hoped the issues could be resolved because a roll-cap at King's would safeguard the distribution of pupils in Dunedin and provide a more positive future for all secondary schools.

Ministry of Education enablement and support sector head Katrina Casey agreed it was important Dunedin schools worked together.

''It's also important that all schools step up to that challenge of finding ways to be more collaborative. Our role is to help encourage that collaboration.

''That's why we've been working with Dunedin schools since late last year on a plan for future secondary schooling for the city.''

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

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