Discovery One Approved Without Site

Sunday 10 December 2000

"Material released under the Official Information Act shows Trevor Mallard approved the experimental Discovery One school without it having a definite site," said Concerned Teachers spokesperson Peter Calvert.

"The Minister of Education approved the school in September to begin at the start of 2001. Most Christchurch people assumed the new school would have had to state a specific site to get approval from the Ministry. They also assumed that 'the Crossing' was that definite site," said Mr Calvert.

"Yet Mr Mallard states on November 23 that 'When the applicants submitted their application, they had in mind the lease of a particular site in central Christchurch. My approval to establish the school however, was not tied to development on this particular site and I understand that no decision on a site for the school has yet been made'," said Mr Calvert. (Our italics.)

"Our group has already stated how bizarre it was to plan to locate a children's school at a Major Bus 'Crossing'. It seems that the Establishment Board and Mr Mallard are now having second thoughts about the inner city site," said Mr Calvert.

"But it is even more bizarre to imagine that Trevor Mallard could have approved a new primary school which had no approved site. This is for an experimental school that is supposed to begin in three months. Surely a siteless school is a first in New Zealand history."

"Christchurch people await news of an announcement of the new site of Discovery One. Maybe Mr Mallard can announce that Ms Buck has negotiated a site attached to the new Space Station!" said Mr Calvert.

Ends:

For More information contact: Peter Calvert 021 2111 825

E-mail ConcernedTeachers@xtra.co.nz

Website www.concernedteachers.com

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