Rangiora High School looks to 1986 for inspiration
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
"It’s back to 1986" at Rangiora High School, but a new enhanced version.
That’s the assessment of principal Bruce Kearney following a comprehensive curriculum review, which will lead to sweeping changes to the school’s teaching and learning, pastoral care, and a revamp of the Rakahuri building.
Kearney tasked deputy principals Paula McDonald and Haidee Tiffen with the task of conducting the review in term one.
The pair worked with education consultants ImpactED to conduct an online survey and interviews with students, staff and whanau, with more than 1000 students responding from a school roll of 1700.
"It’s not a step back in time to 1986, but it is something parents can understand," Tiffen said.
"We are trying to simplify it, but we’re not letting go of all the good stuff," McDonald added.
She said the students would be "at the heart of everything", with a new philosophy of "know me, guide me" under-pinning the new curriculum.
"It is about getting to know our learners and guiding our learners.
"The number one thing parents said was they wanted the students to be going to school happy and having lots of choice (in their subjects)."
Tiffen said having strong connections between students and teachers also came through strongly.
Once the survey was completed, staff were invited to test the review findings, with 23 staff volunteering to explore what changes were possible.
The biggest change will be installing internal walls in the open plan Rakahuri building, which is thought to be the largest classroom in the South Island.
The proposed layout will be essentially the same, but with learning spaces turned into single cell classrooms and the potential for the library to be incorporated.
The project is out for tender and the school will be seeking funding from the Ministry of Education to make it happen.
Tiffen said students had found it distracting being in an environment where multiple classes were operating in one big space.
"Our neuro-diverse learners were finding it particularly challenging.
"They still want those spaces, but with more closed off spaces to improve their learning."
From next year junior students will return to spending more time with specialist subjects teachers, instead of the co-operative teaching across subjects employed in recent years.
Senior school courses will return to full year, rather than semester (half-year) courses.
"It is all about those relationships with learners," Tiffen said.
"You can’t get to know our learners well enough in half a year."
She said the focus would be on the teaching and learning rather than assessment, with the assessment built in.
The Wānanga (form class) structure will change, with students spending less time "with a trusted adult for whanaungatanga (building relationships)" from next year.
Literacy and numeracy would also be a big focus.
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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0% Yes
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0% No
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0% Other - I'll share below
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Canterbury’s Woodend Bypass route confirmed
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The route of the proposed Woodend Bypass in Canterbury has been confirmed - and it might look familiar to locals.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says it has decided the stick with the route which was first designated nine years ago.
Engineers reviewed the route after the Government gave them the green light in July to push ahead with plans.
The 9km stretch of road will provide an extension to the Christchurch northern corridor, otherwise known as the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey has advocated for the project for several years and said he is thrilled at the latest announcements.
‘‘Many residents across the Waimakariri and further afield will be in no doubt about my passion for this project.
‘‘For far too long now, elderly residents of Woodend have missed medical appointments as they refuse to cross the main road due to safety concerns, and school children have run the gauntlet of getting to and from school.
‘‘Business owners have also suffered because customers refuse to stop on the main road due to traffic.’’
Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said it will be welcome news for local residents.
‘‘It has been a long time coming and the council has always been supportive of this project, so we are delighted that it is moving forward at the pace it is.’’
Last week, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to build an overpass to replace the Pegasus roundabout and provide better access for Pegasus, Ravenswood and Woodend residents.
He said NZTA will release a request for tender for detailed design and construction supervision this week.
The first stage of early works will likely begin in early 2026 with preparation for road widening to four lanes between Lineside Rd and Cam River, while the main physical works are expected to begin later in 2026.
An NZTA spokesperson said it is too soon for concept drawings to show what the Pegasus interchange will look like.
‘‘We’ll be able to share these as the designs progress during this next phase.’’
Details of how environmental challenges, such as two shingle pit lakes which have been created over the last decade, will be overcome have yet to be released.
Final costs have yet to be determined, but it is believed it will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Woodend Bypass is one of the Government's first five roads of national significance.
The Government is considering roads of national significance to be partially funded by a toll.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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