Sue Wards
13 May 2020, 6:12 PM
The Ministry of Education says it is confident the principal and board of Mount Aspiring College (MAC) can find a way forward after concerns were raised by a group of parents about the school’s leadership and governance.
Ministry of Education sector enablement and support deputy secretary Katrina Casey told the Wanaka App it was supporting the school “as it takes steps to resolve the issues parents have raised as well as issues identified by a recent ERO [Education Review Office] report”.
The 2019 ERO report identified MAC overall as a “developing” school, with variable conditions for student learning and variable outcomes for students, and said priorities for further development at MAC were building professional relationships, developing consistent systems and procedures, and building evaluation capacity.
Katrina confirmed the Ministry received a letter from parents on Friday (May 8), raising concerns about “a complex myriad of issues at MAC”.
The letter, which has been signed by 58 parents, referred to issues which they said stem from “poor leadership” and “weak governance” at MAC.
The letter said the issues, many of which have been raised previously, are having an impact on staff, students and their families.
The board said the Ministry of Education will work with it to support resolution of the concerns raised. PHOTO: Wanaka App
“However, they all remain unresolved, and in many cases the community feels that issues are “swept under the carpet” - which has become part of the culture of MAC. The lack of definitive action is now having obvious impacts, and this cannot be allowed to go on,” the letter said.
Katrina said the Ministry is confident the principal and the board are able to find a way forward.
“We will continue to work with the board to support resolution of the concerns raised and offer any assistance that may be needed.”
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She said progress on issues raised at a community information session in March was delayed after COVID-19 reached New Zealand.
“The lockdown prevented progress being made at that time but we know the board and principal are keen to resume this process as soon as restrictions are lifted.”
The board of trustees yesterday wrote to parents supplying minutes to the community session (held on March 16), along with an action plan for key topics raised at the meeting.
“We have discussed the school’s situation in depth with Ministry staff and they are confident that we have a plan to move forward,” the board said. “The Ministry will continue to work with us to support resolution of the concerns raised and offer any assistance that may be needed.”
Bridget Legnavsky has been co opted to the board as a trustee. PHOTO: Supplied
“We also acknowledge that there is a need for better communication links with our community. Over the course of the rest of the school year we will provide board updates each term about our priorities and progress in meeting the actions of our overall MAC strategic plan.”
The board also advised it had co-opted Bridget Legnavsky as a trustee, following the resignations last week of former chair Glenn Peat and long-standing parent rep Tracey Gibson.
Glenn told the Wanaka App he had resigned after “questioning the communication of the current board with the parent community”.
Bridget is general manager of Cardrona Alpine Resorts (Cardrona and Treble Cone) and immediate past chair of the Wanaka Chamber of Commerce.
The board will hold a by-election to fill the two vacancies.
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