Trustees split on moving school

Catholic Bishop of Auckland Patrick Dunn. Photo / APN

Monte Cecilia School's board of trustees stands 5-4 against moving the school elsewhere in Hillsborough, says the Catholic Bishop of Auckland, Patrick Dunn.

Giving evidence at a hearing into rezoning of the new school site, Bishop Dunn said that as proprietor of the school he appointed four members of the board of trustees; five others were elected by the parents of pupils.

His representatives each supported the church's application to change the zoning of land on the St John Vianney Church site further along Hillsborough Rd to take a replacement school.

"I am very mindful of the different view held by the board of trustees by majority vote, and accept that there is a need to work towards reconciliation with those members of the school community who find the thought of relocation difficult to accept."

Bishop Dunn said key Monte Cecilia staff also supported the relocation, which would allow a modern 227-pupil school "as far as possible equivalent" to the present one.

He was convinced that co-location of the church and the proposed school would have long-term benefits for Monte Cecilia and its students.

"With the church at the heart of a parish, students are more exposed to the special Catholic character, the essence of a Catholic school."

Auckland Council is acquiring the present school site by agreement under the Public Works Act to add to the 14.5ha public park around the restored Pah Homestead, which is the TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre.

Bishop Dunn said that under Canon Law, the church required full consultation with the parish. A series of meetings last year resulted in a parish resolution supporting a new school on the vacant church land.

Father James Mulligan, a member of the school board and St John Vianney's parish priest, said a number of young families would send children to such a relocated school, which had been envisaged for the parish when the land was bought in 1955.

Environmental lawyer Michael Savage said the Minister of Education had given written authority to relocate the school to the 2.6ha site at 317 Hillsborough Rd.

Five of the 14 neighbouring residences were owned by the Housing Corporation, which supported the education purpose zoning.

A concept plan and rules provided for the new school, relocation of the existing parish centre, building of residential units and community facilities and playing fields for use outside school hours.

On Thursday, the planning commissioners will consider 170 public submissions and hear objectors. A petition signed by 2200 calls for the school to stay at Monte Cecilia.