Imminent closure of Makoura College hard to accept

The pain has just begun for Makoura College families facing the closure of their school, say a couple still reeling from the announcement.
Carterton parents Vaea and Trin Peterson have two children Carlin, 16, and Bailey, 13 at Makoura College, with which they have been involved since their now-working eldest son enrolled at the Masterton school seven years ago.
"He's in the New Zealand Army band now and that happened directly because of the college we chose, what they did for him," Mr Peterson said.
"But I know there's going to be a lot of hurting soon for our two children, who are hoping to do as well as their brother, and the 200-odd other families who have to find the best way forward for their kids too."
The Makoura College Board of Trustees decided after months of secret discussions that continuing was not possible because Wairarapa College will not merge, and on Friday announced their school is likely to close at the end of the year.
Mr Peterson, who is in his second term as Masterton Intermediate School trustees' chairman after serving seven years with the group, said he understands "it's a numbers game where funding is concerned", but he and his wife were still "gutted" when they learnt closure is imminent.
The couple chose Makoura College for several reasons, he said, including "its culture and class sizes" and for their eldest who left last year with the highest award possible at the school the decision was rewarded.
"Now we have to start all over again and there's going to be a fair bit of stress and pain for a few months while we settle for a second-best choice.
"They should get over it fairly quickly but getting to that point will be a struggle," he said.
Mr Peterson said the way of life at Makoura College has cemented bonds for many children who are otherwise a challenge in the classroom, and their door to education will close with the school.
"At Makoura everybody knows each other pupils, teachers and the seniors watch out for the young ones. There's a spirit that's got stronger every year we've been involved.
"I'm sure for a lot of kids it's the teachers and the culture at Makoura that's keeping them there. Those kids that are on the edge will be pushed over when it closes."
Mrs Peterson said their daughter had a group of fellow Makoura College Year 9 friends stay over for the night and "there were tears, and talk, and the quietest sleepover you could ever get".
She said the couple were unaware of any "east-west division" in the town when they chose Makoura College for their children, whom they found have all thrived in their time at the school.
The prospect of closure and the decisions looming in its wake "are devastating", she said, especially when only a single state school will be left in the town as was feared in 2003 when a proposal to merge Makoura with Lakeview School had been floated.
"I was horrified when they merged the primary schools and there were threats Makoura was going to close down. I'm just as horrified today," she said.
"There was huge support for the school back then and a public outcry. Now it's just around the corner and there's hardly been a whimper.
"This is our kids' future and choice is everything but for many Makoura parents a private school and the costs involved could put choice out of the question," she said.
Makoura trustees invited submissions until July 28 and will hold a public meeting on August 6 before making their final decision, which will be sent as a report to the Minister of Education.