Announcement is Positive News for Students and Families

27 July 2016

Announcement is Positive News for Students and Their Families

The decision for Christchurch’s Halswell Residential College (HRC) to become a co-educational campus is being welcomed by staff, students and families.

The Minister of Education Hon. Hekia Parata has today confirmed that HRC will become fully co-educational, a status they first applied for in 2012.

Chair of the Board of Trustees Lois Chick says she is very pleased they will no longer have to turn a student away because she is female.

“Since January 2014, we have been able to enrol up to five girls at Halswell Residential College however we were still officially a “single sex boys school”, which disadvantaged female students”, says Mrs Chick, adding that the College has been forced to deny enrolments for girls who with their families requested a place at HRC.

“Now the classrooms and campus will better reflect how life really is, with both males and females being a part of the school community,” she says. “It adds an important dimension to the work we do with our students, a number of whom transition to mainstream co-ed schools and beyond that, will live and work in communities made up of both men and women.”

"A 2014 ERO review and two assessments by Standards and Monitoring Services, New Zealand (SAMS) in 2013 and 2016 were extremely positive about the College and its educational programmes, and considered the College was well placed to become co-educational.

Lois Chick says HRC students are happy and do very well, something reflected in their achievements and the support the College receives from parents, staff and the wider community.
“All of our students are supported with individualised programmes and work alongside highly-trained staff in a stable and nurturing environment. Now that environment will be co-ed and we couldn’t be happier for our students, family and staff,” she says.

ENDS

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