Trustees vote for One Tree Hill College

The Penrose High School Board of Trustees has voted to change the name of the school to One Tree Hill College.

The decision, which will be open to further public consultation, was made at its meeting on 14 April 2008 on the recommendation of a Focus Group appointed to look at the name and review the school uniform. The Focus Group considered nine possible names for the school. It made no recommendation on changing the school uniform –– that issue will be looked at over the next few months.

The full Board of Trustees had earlier (3 March 2008) agreed unanimously to a name change, although not a specific name. It followed agreement in principle from the school’s Senior Leadership Team to change the name.

The view of the Board of Trustees is that One Tree Hill College:
• Is compatible with the direction of the school;
• Fits comfortably with the consultations on the new school charter;
• Reflects the values, traditions and aspirations of the wider school community; and
• Is in keeping with the existing school crest (which will be retained unchanged).

The deadline for submissions on the new name is Wednesday 30 April 2008.

The submissions will be considered by the Focus Group before a name change is forwarded to the Ministry of Education for final approval. The intention, subject to a review of submissions received, is to forward a name change to the ministry no later than Monday 5 May 2008.

Focus Group chair Graeme Hunt, who is also deputy chair of the Board of Trustees, said initial feedback from the school community on changing the name had been positive.

“A name change is a sensitive issue and not one taken lightly by the Focus Group or the Board of Trustees but the strong feeling was that the Penrose High School name no longer accurately reflected the values, traditions and aspirations of the wider school community,” he said.

“The physical redevelopment of the school provides a unique opportunity to cost-effectively review the school branding and livery but the school crest with its Latin motto, Ad altiora contende (Strive for higher things), will not be changed. This crest has been with the school since it opened in 1955. Teachers, students and parents like it and the values it represents.”

Submissions on the new name must be received by 30 April 2008 (post or email). Details are below.

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