Country school seeks townies

Press, 26 December 1984, Page 21

Country school seeks townies

PA Masterton Town children should bus out to the country to go to school, suggest the people of a small Wairarapa farming community. Taueru residents made this proposal to the Wellington Education Board, after their school has been forced to close because of falling school rolls. The community’s spokesman, Mr Rick Vallance, said the district blamed the board for the failure of the school to remain open. “The Wellington Education Board has been totally insensitive to the needs of our community,” he said. With the closing of the school, the board will need to increase its bus service

i into Masterton, at great : cost to the board, said Mr i Vallance. Instead of this, Taueru ; people want a reverse service, with town children : going out to attend the Taueru School. “We thought the country I atmosphere and small size ; of the school might appeal to some townspeople. Our facilities are excellent, with , a pool and tennis court,” he > said. ■ Every time the Taueru School was running well, with a good teacher, the ’ board would move them on, f even against the teacher’s > wishes. General disillusionment of • parents with the board led I them to take their children • into Masterton schools.