The Fish-Hooks With the Charter School Announcements

Alwyn Poole
Began teaching in 1991. TBC, HBHS, St Cuths. Founded/led Mt Hobson MS–18 years. Co-founded SAMS and MSWA. Econs degree, Masters in Edn, tchg dip, post grad dip – sport.

1. The Charter School model is about improving opportunities/outcomes for “underserved” communities. The schools currently being approved in the NZ system would not be internationally recognised as Charter Schools.
2. The Charter School agency has spent 30 per cent of the funding on themselves. The current CEO is being bumped, so good things may happen.
3. The Altum School is being significantly challenged re the apparent NZ Initiative conflicts of interest in the approval process. I am hearing that there are significant legal challenges about to be lodged.
4. David Seymour has announced to schools that are attempting to have a different provision angle – but it appears that Seymour, and the providers, do not understand the law re Charter Schools.
   
   Seymour has, with significant ignorance, promoted a Wellington Phoenix Charter School as NZ’s first sports academy with attached academics. He is wildly wrong as there are at least 100 entities that fit that description and Westlake Boys, St Kentigern, Kings College, etc, excel in that area.
5. It seems that neither the New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa or the Sisters United Academy can put any requirements on who comes to the school.
   
   The Wellington Phoenix school and the Sisters United Academy must accept applications from all students/families and cannot add any criteria.
   
   South Auckland Middle School was always over subscribed and we went to the police for balloting. It was tough as we had a waiting list of over 100 students and many people attempting to get preferential treatment.
   
   The new schools must do the same. The Phoenix school could/should end up with a whole bunch of kids who have never kicked a ball. The Sisters United Academy could/should end up with boys and girls from a range of demographics.
   
   Charter Schools do not have the privileges of Designated Character Schools. I sincerely hope that St Stephens/Tipene is not prioritising Māori students or rugby players… as it is clearly against the law.

This article was originally published by Education... the Absolute Best Ways.