Salisbury School Deserves our Support

I proudly gave my support to the event at Salisbury School on Sunday 7th August. I listened to impassioned speeches from parents, trustees, and other officials about why Salisbury School should stay open.

The arguments in support of keeping Salisbury open are solid.

Concerns:

1. Policy Change acts as Gatekeeper

The implementation of the Intensive Wraparound Service in 2012 has created lower student numbers, which has in turn created the financial situation that Education Minister Hekia Parata says is unsustainable.

Dana’s Statement: “It is misleading to lower numbers of enrolment and then close a school which is a successful model of learning due to perceived high costs. We need transparency in politics, not policies that create problems.”

2. Everyone has a right to education delivered in a way that meets their needs

Salisbury School delivers a specialised programme that needs community and national support. As a community we should band together to prevent the closing of this school.

Dana’s Statement: “Salisbury is part of an ‘Education Hub’. As a high school student at Waimea College in the late 1980’s, I was acutely aware of Salisbury and the benefit it provided to our community. I visited Salisbury and shared my love of music with those who attended the school. We learned from the residents of Salisbury as they learned from us.”

3. Salisbury Legacy Speaks for Itself

Dana’s Statement: “Salisbury School is the only residential school in the country that does not restrain, restrict, or isolate its students. A rewarding element of the day was the strong voices of the ex-pupils themselves who spoke up to address Nick Smith in defence of their school. With an alumni like this, the benefits of the school speak for themselves.”

ENDS

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