FOR RELEASE FRIDAY 14 September
NZAIMS sees no evidence of any focus upon “middle years” students in the Christchurch education renewal announcements.
The New Zealand Association of Intermediate and Middle Schooling group deplores the announced closure of five
intermediate schools in Christchurch. NZAIMS will be strongly advocating a reversal of the decision to close these
schools.
The loss of specialist schools with their particular focus upon the needs of middle years students and the best
approaches for quality teaching for these students, will in the opinion of NZAIMS, weaken the provision of schooling in
Christchurch.
A focus on middle years students needs to appear as a considerationfor the future positioning of education for greater
Christchurch. Currently reference to this group of young New Zealanders is notably absent from Ministry of Education
publications and website information following the announcement yesterday.
NZAIMS asks that community meetings and consultation as well as advisory groups are provided with the fullest possible
range of options or opportunities in order to truly make the re-shape or renewal meet the needs of all students.
The New Zealand Curriculum is very clear about students in the middle years being a distinct group or stage in
education.
It states that in years 7-10 students have opportunities to achieve to the “best of their abilities across the breadth
and depth of the New Zealand Curriculum- values, key competencies, and learning areas- laying a foundation for living
and further learning.” (The New Zealand Curriculum, 2007, p41).