One of the new schools, City Senior School, is focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This is a reflection of recent changes to the partnership schools policy to allow for STEM focused schools, in addition to the existing priority-learner focused application pathway.
The other three partnership schools opening in 2019 will focus on providing alternatives for students in priority learner groups. These include Māori, Pasifika, students from low-socio-economic backgrounds and students needing learning support.
Addressing the needs of priority learners had been the focus of the previous four application rounds.
The four new partnership schools are:
- City Senior School in Auckland will have a focus on supporting students to become innovative and creative global citizens. It will be a co-educational senior secondary school for years 11-13, with an opening roll of 100 students and a maximum roll of 300 students.
- Tūranga Tangata Rite in Gisborne will focus primarily on Māori students with a, ‘by iwi for iwi’ approach. It will be a co-educational junior secondary school for years 9-11 with an opening roll of 45 students and a maximum roll of 55 students.
- Vanguard Military School Christchurch will promote attitudinal, behavioural and academic excellence and encourage training and employment pathways beyond school. It will be a co-educational senior secondary school for years 11-13, with an opening roll 120 students and a maximum roll of 210 students.
- Waatea High in South Auckland will focus on priority learners and will have a ‘Māori for Māori’ philosophy. It will be a co-educational bi-lingual secondary school for years 9-13, with an opening roll of 50 and a maximum roll of 145 students.
These schools will join the ten other partnership schools already operating, and two new schools due to open in the Bay of Plenty in 2018, taking the total number of partnership schools to sixteen.
There are currently 1,200 students attending partnership schools across New Zealand.
Further information
Find out more about Partnership Schools.
More information
If you would like to know more about Partnership Schools, email the Partnership Schools team at partnershipschools.enquiries@education.govt.nz or go to the Partnership Schools website.