Dear Parents and Caregivers

In June 2015, I wrote to the school community, here is part of what I said a year ago:

For the east of our city, I see the Government willing to spend 80 million dollars building two schools on the QE2 site and I see the City Council willing to spend around 40 million to construct a new recreational facility for the east on the same site.

I see the willingness of all parties to ensure that the Council and the two schools act in partnership with the community living in the east and, for Shirley Boys’ High School specifically, that means an embracing of the 'whole village to educate a child principle'. Our intention is that the people and the local community use the school facilities and, in so doing vibrancy is restored, and hope regained. I do not see any insurmountable issues arising from our move to QEII; only excitement and a desire to get onto a pathway that travels forward.

How am I able to say this? Simply because I work with young people and their enthusiasm is infectious. Not for them the inclination to dwell in the past, or the inclination to get grumpy over transitory discomfort or problems. In their mind, they are on a journey to a better future and, in Shirley, that means students, parents and staff work together.

Life is always going to be a joy when that attitude prevails.

Roll on 2019. It’s going to be a wild ride getting there, and a wonderful achievement when we arrive. The Mayor will do her bit to ensure that it happens, so will we, and so will the community that is Shirley Boys’. We will be part of the re-construction and we will not blame people for the problems that may come along the way.

By the time you read this newsletter, I am hopeful that the long-awaited announcement about the move to our new site is made public, directly from the Mayor’s office. The Burwood-Pegasus Ward of the City Council have recommended to the CCC to sell 11.5 hectares of land on the QEII site to the Ministry of Education, with ratification of that recommendation expected in June 2016. If all goes according to plan, Avonside Girls’ and Shirley Boys’ High Schools are to co-locate on their new campus from 2019. The MOE preferred site for the campus, QEII Park, will be next door to the Eastern Recreation and Sports Centre, which will have a range of pools and water facilities including a 25-metre lap pool and a learn-to-swim pool.

This is the first time two single sex schools will be co-located in New Zealand. It is an exciting and carefully-planned opportunity that will enhance the education offered in both schools. There will be one campus but two separate schools, each with a population capped at 1,200 students. Each school will retain its unique identity, history, culture and vision. What will change is the fact that they will be sited on a brand new campus with custom-made facilities and additional opportunities to offer students, through working together.

This plan will offer students all the advantages of a single sex education, but with unique and socially beneficial opportunities to learn alongside and interact with students from the neighbouring school.

The design and detailed plan for the campus is yet to be finalised. The budget has been set at, somewhere in the region of $80 million dollars. Each school will have its own spaces but there will be some shared facilities – including a dedicated Performing Arts Centre and extensive sports amenities. All up, this will be a fantastic, brand new asset for communities in the north east of the city, especially since the new campus will be built on a spacious 11.5 hectare site, (also known as Ōruapaeroa), that was home to the former QEII complex. The site has abundant mature trees and access to the picturesque Travis Wetland Nature Heritage Park.

When we are established, the schools will be active members of our new community and the campus will be a place where the community is welcomed. It goes without saying, that many of our facilities, including the sports facilities, cultural space and performing arts centre will be available for community use.

One thing to clear up immediately is that the two schools will not merge – both schools will retain their names and have their own identity, culture, uniforms and independence on the new site. Traditions and values will remain, with each school keeping its house names, unique competitions and a wide range of sporting and cultural activities. Shirley will certainly continue to connect with our Old Boy network. Indeed, once the planning for the move is well established, strengthening of the Old Boys' network will be set at the highest level of priority.

It is also our intention to ensure that existing staff and students continue to be amongst the first to be kept abreast of any developments and to ensure they have input into the new campus.

We are currently in the middle of enrolment for next year’s Year 9 intake. These students will come into the new school at the start of their Year 11 year, but as soon as we are given clearance, we intend that present and potential students and their families be given an early opportunity to walk upon and experience their home to be, from the start of 2019.

As a community school, we also recognize that until 2019, whenever we come to our new site it will be as visitors. However even as visitors, we will do everything in our power to ensure that current residents feel part of the development as it unfolds and that they recognize that we intend to work with them as partners in a great adventure.

A year ago, I felt pretty much as I do now, life in our city is exciting, the future of The Garden City is rosy.

What a joy it is to be part of that!

Regards

John Laurenson

Headmaster