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Alwyn Poole
Dear Minister Hipkins
Firstly – this is official notification that the Villa Education Trust will apply for a 240 student Designated Character School (non-zoned) in central Auckland to begin in 2022. This will be similar to the application that you rejected by stating that:
- It was not budgeted for in Vote Education 2019 (impossible of course as you can only apply in the year before starting so there is no way it can be budgeted for).
- We could not show sufficient demand (nonsense – there is mountains of demand for differentiated learning – and we are experts).
This was on the back of:
- already having a “Designated Character”.
- having a track record for the model and endorsement from Cognition Education and the NZ Autism Society.
- having many, many endorsements from past, current and future families of the need for the school.
The school that we are applying for will be in keeping with our Mt Hobson Middle School model that has seen 97% of students who spent at least a year with us get L1 NCEA after leaving and move on from there (some into fabulous post university careers). Many were not on that pathway when they started with us.
We will be applying for a school for 240 students who are diverse learners and need the model we offer to succeed leading into adult life. This is a significantly underserved group in our nation.
We are very comfortable with a lease option (lots of commercial property bargains at present for smart operators) or the Ministry beginning a site.
I have to say, given friends and acquaintances involved, that the article on the progress of the St Stephens application is fantastic. It was an incredibly sad moment when it closed – under your mentor Trevor Mallard. What an achievement it would be to see it thriving again.
It was also fantastic in the article how openly positive the Ministry officials were:
The ministry says it has the draft application and has been working with the board to help strengthen its formal application to become a designated character school. Ministry of Education sector enablement and support deputy secretary Katrina Casey says while the board is finalising its formal application, ministry officials are available to meet with them as needed.
This was in no way our experience last year as at no stage did your Ministry officials “work with us” – despite many documented promises – so we are delighted the Ministry approach is changing. Well done you.
Alwyn Poole
“Consultation with the school boards of trustees is a valuable part of the decision-making process and, once completed, informs the second report, which will seek a final decision on the proposed new school.”
nzherald.co.nz
We had minimal consultation so will look forward to a much greater and more professional effort from your staff leading to our 2022 opening. You did not even bother to consult a highly supportive local community.
I know either a lease or purchase and renovate option by the Ministry for St Stephens will be incredibly expensive but I genuinely think you should go for it. Our school will be a much cheaper option but –even though we were rejected for not being budgeted for and neither have they been – people are recognising that in the post-Covid environment you have to be flexible. As Minister for Covid-Recovery I know you will recognise that.
There is clearly room for both schools – as there was for Sara Cohen School in Dunedin – where you are spending $4 million for a school of 24 students per annum.
Nathan Durie, leading into the St Stephens venture, is a remarkable person. Well done on supporting him and his endeavours to bring change for underserved NZ children.
I have heard on many occasions that you and your officials find me to be a pain in the a$#e and difficult to work with. This is not about you or me (frankly I find you the same) – it is about 240 students a year who need a great deal of help. I have stepped away from the South Auckland Middle School and Middle School West Auckland Boards to allow better perceived relationships. If you consider it would be helpful I would be happy to step away from the Villa Education Trust Board. Please just let me know.
As stated above. We will definitely be re-applying. We have been talking to the Human Rights Commission on how the application (and special needs students) were treated by you this year. The talks are extensive and they are highly interested. We are hoping to work with officials and yourself in a much better manner re the new application.
I used to be a good cyclist but am now fat and out of condition. I mention this because you have simply refused to talk to any members of our Trust for the last two years. Please change that otherwise, I have undertaken to cycle to Wellington in February and sit on the steps of Parliament until you meet. I will not be a pretty sight when I arrive but the kids that we can serve are worth it and are so worth the embarrassment and effort (and risk to my life).
Yours
Alwyn Poole
Villa Education Trust
Innovative Education Consultants
Mt Hobson Middle School – Community Liaison Manager and Academic Adviser
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