New school touts for students

Foundation principal of Academic Colleges Group Tauranga, Christine Cottell-Mayhew. Photo/Ben Fraser

The principal of a new independent school in Tauranga has been canvassing parents in surrounding areas promoting what the school could offer prospective students.

Christine Cottell-Mayhew, who was last week appointed the foundation principal for Academic Colleges Group, Tauranga, has met with parents in Rotorua to discuss what the new school had to offer.

However, the move has angered some Rotorua principals who think sending students to school in Tauranga isn't such a good idea.

The school, which is opening its doors to students in 2015, is the first domestic Academic Colleges Group school to be set up outside Auckland.

Last night Ms Cottell-Mayhew met with interested parents to discuss topics such as curriculum, transport and student teacher relationships.

"This is the first of many meetings to come," she said.

"While this one was a bit more formal ... I plan on coming down alone to chat with families over a cup of coffee at a cafe."

Ms Cottell-Mayhew said the establishment of the school was about giving families another education option.

"We offer quality resources, specialist teaching and proven success rates higher than that of public schools.

"Many people think we only want the academic elite students but that is not the case. We look for students who are wholeheartedly committed to learning."

The campus will include an early childhood facility as well as primary school and high school classrooms.

However, some Rotorua principals have hit back saying the Pyes Pa private school wouldn't benefit the Rotorua community.

Rotorua Lakes High School principal Bruce Walker said ultimately it came down to parental choice.

"If Rotorua parents want to send their child to a school in Tauranga that is their choice but if it were me, I wouldn't want my child travelling two hours a day to get to school."

Mr Walker said extra curricular activities would suffer and students would be spending their "down time" travelling between the two cities.

"Students enjoy having that down time ... to spend with their friends, socialising. If they are spending that time on the bus and are getting home at 4.30pm every day, they won't have that opportunity."

Otonga Primary School principal Linda Woon said the independent school was "completely unnecessary".

"We have the spare capacity in Rotorua schools and parents have a voice, so why are they not using it if they are not happy with what is happening here?"