We need your feedback Changing the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo school zone

The Ministry of Education has asked Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo to change our enrolment school zone. The purpose of this is to support us to manage the growing demands on our school roll and ensure our ongoing ability to provide a physical environment where our tamariki can thrive.

Because any changes we potentially make may impact our community and a wider network of local schools, we asked that the Ministry of Education provide a clear plan to ensure an equitable spread of students between schools that also makes sense for our local community.

We are working collaboratively with schools in our area. You may also be aware that others have also consulted on their zone. We believe this holistic approach will support us to effectively manage the capacity of our schools, both now and the future.

Before amending our enrolment zone, we are required to consult with our students, parents and local community, with parents of prospective students of Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo and with the Boards of other local schools that may be affected by the amendment. We now have a proposed amendment to our zone based on student data supplied by the Ministry of Education that we would like your feedback on.

We hope you will take the time to let us know what you think.

While all comments are welcome, specifically, it would be helpful to know:

• Whether you are supportive of the boundaries in the proposed amendment and why.
• If you have any suggested changes you may have to the proposed amendment boundaries and why.

You should know that we will carefully consider all responses.

We understand that the implications of these potential changes may be upsetting for some whānau. You may find it useful to read the Frequently Asked Questions provided in the email that being sent home on Monday with all the information you need. It might be helpful to know that here are provisions for current students and siblings of current students to continue to attend Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo even if your property subsequently falls out of zone.

Currently the Ministry of Education has made this request under section 11H of the Education Act 1989. You may be aware that from next year, a new "Education Service Agency" will take over school zoning in each region. We, along with other schools in our area, have agreed to complete this process before then so we can consider our community’s feedback.

Documents will be emailed to you on Monday

The consultation will run until Friday 25 September.

Board of Trustees, Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo