Rotorua approved for new communities of schools

Education minister Hekia Parata has announced 38 Bay of Plenty schools have been given the go ahead to form five new communities.

The Communities of Schools, an initiative of the Investing in Educational Success scheme, will see Rotorua, Taupo, Whakatane and Tauranga schools join to share best practice across all year levels.

Mrs Parata said the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty schools were part of the second tranche of communities.

Eighteen new communities were announced natiowide today.

"I'm delighted that these new communities will join the first 11 that I announced in December. This brings the total number of communities formed to 29."

She said the schools in the latest groupings came from across the spectrum with almost 60 per cent sitting in the decile 1 to 5 category.

Mrs Parata said the Ministry of Education recognised the biggest factors for lifting student achievement were the quality of teaching and leadership.

"Investing in Educational Success promotes all these by fostering systematic collaboration between teaching professionals and encouraging parents and communities to set achievement objectives and challenges."

See tomorrow's edition of the Rotorua Daily Post for the full story.