Alwyn Poole
Founded and was the head of Mt Hobson Middle School in Auckland for 18 years. MH Academy is now an in person private school for Years 11-13. There is now a nationwide online provision called Mt Hobson Academy Connected for Years 1-13.
After my insightful opinion piece in the NZH on Wednesday:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/why-david-seymour-should-step-aside-as-associate-education-minister-alwyn-poole/6E7NOEOQ5NG73DYUDHN3WYMMCI/
... Seymour went on X and posted.
“If he’s prepared to waive privacy, I’d be very happy to release Alwyn’s rejected applications to run a charter school so the public can decide for themselves.”
I replied:
“Of course I would be 100 per cent happy to have the four applications (and the consolidated one) of Education 710+ made public. Also would love to debate their merits and education David. I have a team of three ready to go.”
Seymour has chosen to leave my reply in ‘probable spam’. please send him a message.
Of interest – this is his reference for me two years ago:
Re Alwyn Poole
I have known Alwyn Poole as the leader of the Villa Education Trust, encompassing Mt Hobson Middle School, South Auckland Middle School, and Middle School West Auckland, for eight years. This has been in my capacities as an advisor to the Associate Minister to Education, the Local MP for one of Alwyn’s Schools, and the Under-Secretary to the Minister of Education for New Zealand responsible for Partnership (charter) Schools.
Alwyn is one of the most determined, innovative and effective educators I have met. He has a rare quality that he remains exclusively focused on the welfare and education of his students and is prepared to break out of the usual institutional constraints that are so deadly to innovation in education the world over. On the strength of my long association with Alwyn in a variety of roles, I don’t hesitate to commend him as an effective innovator who gets the best out of his students.”
David Seymour
Member of Parliament for Epsom
This is from Mike King:
To whom it may concern
When a child joins a school led by Alwyn Poole, they are stepping into an environment where they are encouraged to thrive through active learning, fostering independent thought, and instilling strong, foundational values. Alwyn’s leadership ensures that each student is not only engaged academically but also grows in confidence, resilience, and critical thinking – skills essential for navigating today’s world. With a personalised approach to education, Alwyn’s schools provide a space where students and their families are supported and inspired to succeed. This nurturing environment is the kind we at I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday champion for every child’s mental well-being.
Kind regards
Mike King
Founder
I Am Hope Foundation
Or NZ’s greatest education researcher John Hattie:
Everyone claims to know how to run schools, but I am an evidence-based researcher – and have seen the evidence from the [Alwyn’s] schools ... they continually showed that his students were making at least, and many times, more than a year’s growth for a year’s input.
Very happy for Seymour to make this stuff public.
This article was originally published by Education plus – Challenging Mediocrity.
