The Ministry of Education's chief executive is reviewing the risk to the welfare and educational performance of students at Whangaruru School in an attempt to get the institution back on its feet.
The school suffered a double blow after a negative ERO report and then a fire which burnt down administration buildings last week.
Contractors worked through the weekend to isolate the damaged area and establish a temporary staffroom. The school opened again yesterday.
Principal Petina Stone said the school was grateful for the aroha and offers of support from community members and local schools.
"We are waiting for the Ministry of Education to complete their insurance processes before considering the next steps for clean-up and/or rebuilding."
In May, the school received a poor Education Review Office report which said the principal and board weren't providing effective leadership and governance. This contributed to poor quality teaching and learning, low student achievement and concerns for safety, the report said.
"ERO is not confident the board of trustees could bring about improvements without significant external support," the report said.
The Ministry of Education deputy secretary Rawiri Brell said the ministry's chief executive and Secretary for Education Karen Sewell will now review the evidence of risk to the operation of the school - and to the welfare and educational performance of the students, before considering what, if any, support may be appropriate.
"The board has begun to address the issues it faces and is receiving support from external providers to assist with this process. The ministry is maintaining regular communication with the board and principal."
Ms Brell said the board and principal would now work with external providers to draw up an action plan to address all of the issues highlighted in the 2009 ERO report.
Because of the poor report another review would be held sooner than the normal time frame of four to five years per review. "The aim is to have the issues currently faced by the board successfully addressed within 12 months, so that when ERO revisits the school in 2010, the school will be returned to a normal reporting cycle," Ms Brell said.
School left to rebuild after fire and ERO
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