Schools ask education minister to merge

OAMARU

TWO Oamaru Catholic schools have asked the Minister of Education to be run out of one site by a single board.

If approved, the request would see St Joseph’s School shifted to a new school built at the St Kevin’s College grounds.

It was announced yesterday by presiding member of both school boards Eugen Dupu.

Mr Dupu said the schools had formally asked Minister of Education Erica Stanford to allow the relocation and for the two to be under a ‘‘two schools, one board’’ model.

Both the schools were Catholic and already worked together on many things.

Merging the two under one board on a single site would bring practical benefits for parents and children, such as closer curriculum links, strengthening the transition process and sharing expertise.

‘‘The boards believe this is an appropriate step forward in developing a shared vision . . . that is fit for the 21st century and mutually beneficial for the Catholic community.

‘‘Onehundred percent, it’s the right thing for both schools.’’

What exactly that could look like was still to be determined, but it would effectively mean a new school would be built for St Joseph’s, he said.

They had been working with the Ministry of Education in Dunedin and things were looking positive so far.

‘‘There are no solid reasons why they would say no.’’

St Kevin’s had about 465 pupils and St Joseph’s 113.

He would share further information with the community as soon as it became available, he said.