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New Tapora School principal Bex Thompson has a well-equipped school with three classrooms, a hall, a library and a swimming pool – what she doesn’t have is enough students to fully benefit from those facilities.
With a current roll of just 15 students, she wants to get the school’s numbers up so part-time teachers can be retained and funded by the Ministry of Education, instead of the Board of Trustees.
“Ideally, I would like to be around the 40 mark, but I’m quite happy to be sitting in the high 20s for the area,” she says. “I’d like to be able to have a good amount of kids in each class and completely fund two teachers on Ministry funding, instead of the Board.”
Thompson says if the roll doesn’t increase, there won’t be a second teacher next year and it will just be her in sole charge, which would reduce opportunities for students.
She says there are plenty of reasons for students to travel to Tapora, from the practicality of a daily bus service out from Wellsford to participation in a national online learning programme.
“Virtual network learning classes from Year 6 up are a good choice to learn extra things like languages, specialist arts, intensive te reo, writing, and you learn with different learners all around New Zealand,” she says.
But Thompson, who was previously team leader of 90 students in Warkworth, says the main advantage at Tapora is the opportunity for personalised learning and connection with the local community.
“From teaching in a very big school to coming here, the learning is so much more personal and connected, you have a lot more ownership of what’s being taught and how.
“We can work one-on-one with students a lot and develop their learning. It’s very flexible, everyone gets support and gets a learning programme tailored to their needs and abilities. And we have so many more opportunities being part of a rural community.”
Upcoming activities include stream exploration on a local farm and snorkelling at Goat Island, and Thompson plans to reintroduce the school’s ag day plus market in the spring. There is also a trip to Wellington coming up for senior students that happens every two years, and senior students travel to Rodney College for tech classes.
Thompson says growth will come, with the proposed sealing of Run Road over the next few years and a new subdivision across the road from the school, including a new shop and cafe. However, she wants people to know that the school is ready and waiting for more students right now and she welcomes visits and enquiries.
“I would really like people to come out and visit and to see the school,” she says. “Feel free to come and ask questions and see how the kids work together. It’s such a cool community to be a part of. I’ve only been out here a few weeks and I’ve already made friendships and connected with people. It’s a great place.”
