Middle and Intermediate Schools deplore closures in Chch

FOR RELEASE FRIDAY 14 September

NZAIMS sees no evidence of any focus upon “middle years” students in the Christchurch education renewal announcements.

The New Zealand Association of Intermediate and Middle Schooling group deplores the announced closure of five intermediate schools in Christchurch. NZAIMS will be strongly advocating a reversal of the decision to close these schools.

The loss of specialist schools with their particular focus upon the needs of middle years students and the best approaches for quality teaching for these students, will in the opinion of NZAIMS, weaken the provision of schooling in Christchurch.

A focus on middle years students needs to appear as a considerationfor the future positioning of education for greater Christchurch. Currently reference to this group of young New Zealanders is notably absent from Ministry of Education publications and website information following the announcement yesterday.

NZAIMS asks that community meetings and consultation as well as advisory groups are provided with the fullest possible range of options or opportunities in order to truly make the re-shape or renewal meet the needs of all students.

The New Zealand Curriculum is very clear about students in the middle years being a distinct group or stage in education.

It states that in years 7-10 students have opportunities to achieve to the “best of their abilities across the breadth and depth of the New Zealand Curriculum- values, key competencies, and learning areas- laying a foundation for living and further learning.” (The New Zealand Curriculum, 2007, p41).

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