Three of the first seven new charter schools opened their doors today, marking a huge milestone for education in New Zealand, says Charter School Agency Chief Executive Jane Lee.
Mastery Schools New Zealand – Arapaki (Christchurch), L’École Française Internationale (Auckland) and Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao (Doubtless Bay) will all welcome their first students with a range of celebrations.
Mastery Schools New Zealand – Arapaki, the first new charter school to be announced last November, will greet its first 60 students with a mihi whakatau including whānau, supporters, Charter School Agency, government and Authorisation Board representatives, as well as founders of Mastery Schools Australia.
L’École Française Internationale will celebrate with students and families by sharing a traditional French breakfast, which coincides with la chandeleur (pancake day) in France, while Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao will also have a mihi whakatau to welcome its first cohort, with plans for a larger opening celebration in a few weeks.
Charter School Network Emerges
“Today is a huge day for education. I welcome these schools to the charter school network and applaud the sponsors and education leaders for their vision and strategic approach to lifting student outcomes,” says Ms Lee.
“The introduction of more diverse learning options in our communities opens more choices for families and students and offers a new start for children who have been disengaged or who will benefit from a different approach.
“Charter schools will help children attain attendance and achievement levels, and the real value will be realised through their growing confidence, reaching their potential, and ultimately contributing to their communities,” says Ms Lee.
The opening of Mastery Schools New Zealand – Arapaki was particularly significant for the school’s sponsors, Dave and Jo Jessep, whose inspiration to open a charter school stemmed from supporting their daughter’s learning needs.
The Mastery Schools programme is evidence-based and focuses on learners who are disengaged from mainstream schools. Each class has a core teacher with three teaching assistants.
More Charter Schools To Open
Four other new charter schools are scheduled to open in the coming week.
TIPENE, the South Auckland Māori boys boarding school, will welcome its first cohort and whānau with a pōwhiri on 6 February, Waitangi Day, which Associate Minister for Education David Seymour will speak at following his attendance at Waitangi.
The BUSY School New Zealand (central Auckland) opens on 7 February, and both North-West College (Auckland) and Christchurch North College start their terms on 10 February.
More new charter schools, which could open later this year or early 2026, will be announced in the coming weeks. The Charter School Agency is also preparing to start an expression of interest process for existing state schools which are interested in becoming charter schools and a new round of applications for sponsors to open new charter schools.
Associate Minister of Education Celebrates
“Charter schools provide educators with greater autonomy and create diversity in New Zealand’s education system. They have been proven to raise overall educational achievement, especially for students who are underachieving or disengaged from the standard system,” says David Seymour.
“Every child deserves an education that gives them the opportunity to learn and grow in ways which are more specific to their needs. The seven charter schools which open over the next week are all fantastic examples of schools that give families and educators more meaningful educational choices and support.
“I want to thank the Charter School Agency and independent Authorisation Board for the work they have done to progress this important work. They oversaw a robust and fair process with 78 applications in the first round.
“This is just the beginning. I hope to see many more new charter schools opening and state and state-integrated schools converting to become charter schools.
“The huge demand to open charter schools not only highlights the need but also the commitment of people to provide varied educational opportunities for young New Zealanders to maximise educational outcomes. Positive education outcomes can lead to better health, higher incomes, better job stability and greater participation within communities. These are opportunities that every student deserves.”