We are incredibly disappointed at the Minister's announcement to end Te Tātoru o Wairau, our rebuild and co-location with Marlborough Boys' College, and the rebuild and re-location of Bohally Intermediate.

Kia ora koutou

I know this disappointment is shared by you and our wider community. The rebuild and co-location of our Colleges in Marlborough have was first announced by Hekia Parata, then Minister for Education, in 2015. It's been a long time waiting for it to have it ended so suddenly. I thank our staff, both past and present, for the huge amount of work they have contributed to Te Tātoru o Wairau over the years.

This work will not be wasted. Much of our focus has been on developing our vision and values, and redefining our curriculum to ensure that students are learning the knowledge, skills and capabilities that will prepare them for their future.

We will continue to focus on improving student outcomes through our connected curriculum and developing learning that will prepare students for their futures. Our current classrooms or learning spaces were designed for 1960s learning - students sitting quietly in rows, listening to a teacher, with no access to technology or other specialist spaces for creative, collaborative and inquiry learning. This is not how learning in 2024 works; and we know it didn't work for everyone back in the day. We have been told that we will have some learning spaces refurbished. We are yet to determine the extent of this, but we know the funding is limited.

While relocatables or prefabs may provide immediate relief in terms of spaces for learning, they constrain the range and depth of learning that students need to engage in learning in 2024 and beyond. We also need school facilities that reflect our unique culture in Aotearoa New Zealand - that is our commitment to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. For far too long, secondary schools have had an industrial and, at times, Victorian vibe which has resulted in poor educational and life outcomes for too many young people. We need the design and construction of schools and learning spaces to be inclusive of all learners, to respect and honour their culture and cater to their needs and aspirations, particularly those of our local iwi in Te Tauihu.

We are used to getting by on a shoestring in education, but that doesn't mean it's ok. We do know that the business case in 2015 that supported the co-location and rebuild decision indicated that it would be more costly to refurbish our facilities than it would be to rebuild. Clearly, costings have changed significantly over 9 years, as they have for all school redevelopments across the country. We have been fully aware of the costs throughout our work with the Ministry of Education property team. Let's not forget there has been a global pandemic that has impacted everyone and economies globally.

Our students are our future - they deserve decent, fit for purpose modern learning facilities that support learning for their future success, and that should be a priority and is not low cost. We will continue to focus on supporting our awesome students to learn, to thrive and to be their very best.

Ngā mihi nui

Mary-Jeanne Lynch