Judgment day next week on Aorangi School

DON SCOTT/The Press

OUTRAGED: Parent Wendy Oh speaks at a meeting of Aorangi School parents and staff with the Ministry of Education last night.

Relevant offers

Education

Woman found unconscious at university Ngaio quake-prone classrooms closed Call for curbs on school exclusions $51 million university hall in hot demand Pub owners give up, open kindergarten Sex attacks turn eye on school bullying Associate head quits after response criticised Wellington schools feel pressure as rolls swell Principal resigns over national standards Mum cops $200 fine for truant daughter

The future of Aorangi School could be decided by the High Court at the end of next week.

The Christchurch school has taken its fight for survival to the courts after Education Minister Anne Tolley announced its closure last month.

The court dates emerged during an emotional meeting between parents and Ministry of Education staff at the school last night.

The High Court will hear the case on Wednesday and Thursday next week, with a verbal judgment issued on Friday.

Aorangi parents and teachers, and principals of nearby primary schools, last night pleaded for more time to find new places for the children, many of whom have special needs.

Burnside Primary School principal Matt Bateman and Wairakei School principal Shane Buckner said the proposed January 27 closure date did not give them enough time to enrol pupils.

"I don't think there is enough time allowed to do it successfully, but we will do it the best we can," Bateman said.

Aorangi principal Stephanie Thompson said the lack of time to find pupils a new school would compromise their education.

"We are setting our little people up for failure. I am gutted and I am really scared about the outcomes for these children," she said.

Parent Ann-Marie Pearce is concerned her son, Liam Kelly, 8, will suffer if he leaves Aorangi.

She fears other schools will not be able to manage her son's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia as well as Aorangi does.

"I think he will go downhill at another school," she said. "It would be upsetting with different teachers and different people. He knows everyone here and everyone knows how to deal with him."

Aorangi teacher Gaven Tucker said parents did not trust the ministry.

"You have treated us badly up to this point, so why should we trust you now," he said.

Ministry acting regional manager Ray Webb said there was adequate time to find the pupils new schools.

- © Fairfax NZ News