Papamoa Area Schooling Strategy
The Papamoa Area Strategy is a response to the projected population increase in the Papamoa coastal area. To help plan for the additional children the Ministry of Education is consulting with local schools and the community groups. Pedersen Pierce Ltd. has been commissioned by the Ministry to undertake the consultation.
The first phase of community consultation in Papamoa engaged the community in establishing what’s important to the community for a schooling network and how an expanded network might look. The results of the first phase showed that the community holds diverse views about the structure of an expanded network.
The second phase of community consultation considered three options that had been developed based on the themes that emerged in phase one, including transition, specialist opportunities, distance from school and planning and the ministry’s criteria such as the impact on existing schools, travel times for students and site factors. The second round of consultation was completed in July 2008.
Since the 2008 election the Ministry of Education has briefed the new government on the situation in Papamoa. It is expected that the Minister of Education, Anne Tolley, and Cabinet will make key decisions about the Area Strategy in the coming months. This will include the establishment of the new schools, the school type(s), opening dates and the year levels for the opening year of operation.
Local schools and the community will be advised when an announcement is made.