A delegation of Makoura College students and supporters met a Parliamentary select committee this morning to voice their concerns over the ongoing struggle to save the school.
Wairarapa MP John Hayes said the invitation, from the Education and Science Select Committee, came as a direct result of 8000 signatures opposing the college's threatened closure collected by a group led by Makoura sixth formers Sophie Brenkley and Nicky Lucas, who were expected to address the committee. "This is an important opportunity to make direct representations to a powerful Parliamentary committee, and I hope a solid cross-section of community leaders, parents, senior students and a teacher or two, can make it along," Mr Hayes said yesterday.
Masterton Mayor Garry Daniell, just back from China, was also expected to attend.
"While we have got to first base with the appointment of a commissioner, we do not yet have a guarantee that the school will stay open. The next crucial step is to set out our reasons to Parliamentarians why the school is so important to our community and to the future of Masterton. The point is not to look backwards but to show why we want the school to be retained and see it succeed," Mr Hayes said. "We're going to need the goodwill and support of a cross-section of politicians to turn Makoura around. It is a job which might take several years, so this meeting with members of all the political parties will provide a reference point from which future Members of Parliament, no matter what party or government they belong to, can help the college to get where it wants to go."
The select committee is chaired by Labour list MP Ashraf Choudhary and includes Wellington Central Labour MP Marion Hobbs.
Makoura delegation to Parliament
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