MEDIA RELEASE 29 JULY 1999

Mt Albert Grammar School To Become Co-Educational

Education Minister Nick Smith today announced he has approved Mt Albert Grammar School's application for a change in status from a single sex boys school to a co-educational school. The school will be able to enrol girls from the beginning of next year.

"This is a big step for Mt Albert Grammar. They have been a boys-only school for 77 years. I commend the school for being willing to break with tradition and look to how it can best meet the needs of its community."

The decision follows a widespread consultation process among parents and the community. The school has already received 89 applications from girls wishing to enrol in form three. Over the next few years, enrolments will be allowed into other levels of the school. The school roll, which is currently 1250, is projected to rise to 1700 during the next decade.

"It is a real tribute to the Board, Principal Greg Taylor, and the school that they have received so much support from the community for their decision, and interest from potential students. This move gives parents and students a real choice of schools and between single sex and co-education options."

"Roll growth in Auckland has given us some real challenges. The willingness of schools to be more flexible and provide more options is key to continuing the ongoing improvement in learning for the students of Auckland."

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>