Proprietors and Principals of state integrated Schools embraced the opportunity to meet with Education Ministers

On 25 October Proprietors and principals of state integrated schools flew into Wellington from around the country to meet with the Minister of Education, Hon Chris Hipkins and Associate Minister, Hon Jenny Salesa.

The meeting was coordinated by the New Zealand Catholic Education Office (NZCEO) and drew together almost 100 people from the state integrated school sector.

There was significant interest to hear first-hand about the Government’s planned review of state integrated schools, due to begin next year.

Associate Minister Salesa, who has responsibility for contact with state integrated schools, started the morning’s discussion by expressing the government’s commitment to working collaboratively with our schools.  Minister Hipkins reiterated this commitment. He provided reassurance to those present by saying that he saw state integrated schools as playing a vitally important role in the New Zealand education system and affirmed the government’s commitment to support the growth of state integrated schools.

Much discussion among those present centred on the relationship between this government and state integrated schools. This included how the schools can play a greater role in sharing the educational aspirations of the government and what key actions the government can take to support the work of proprietors of our schools.

The Minister encouraged dialogue and collaboration between the sector and the government to ensure complementary and sustainable growth.

NZCEO Chief Executive Officer Paul Ferris commented that it was a welcome opportunity to meet with the Minister and his Associate Minister. The Minister’s responses to the many questions fielded were reassuring for the group.