2019 will mark the opening of Auckland's new Kumeu Primary School. Education Minister Hekia Parata announced that the school will be built on Gilbransen Road in Kumeu and will cater to the small town's growing population.
“More than a third of the country’s population now lives in the Auckland region and Kumeu is a growing area. This new school will have capacity to meet the population growth demands in the area, in particular from the proposed Special Housing Areas and other private developments.
The Government is committed to investing in our largest city to ensure we have the right number of schools with the capacity to deal with future growth,” says Parata.
The school will be built and maintained under the Ministry of Education's third Public Private Partnership.
It will be big enough to cater to 560 year one to eight students. A satellite of the Arohanui Special school will also be a part of it.
“Kumeu Primary School will provide innovative and inclusive learning environments that reflect the Kumeu community and meet the needs of children and young people in the 21st century.
The new school will have the option of joining a Community of Learning | Kāhui Ako. Based on the proposed location and likely pathway of students it would be well placed to join the Whiria Te Tangata Community of Learning,” Parata adds.
Whiria Te Tangata Community of Learning consists of eight primary schools and one secondary school with a combined roll of around 3900 students. With the eventual planned roll of 700 students for Kumeu Primary School, this would bring the combined roll of Whiria Te Tangata Community of Learning up to around 4600 learners across ten schools.
An Establishment Board of Trustees will be appointed to Kumeu Primary School shortly. Their responsibility will be to appoint a foundation principal, determining school policy and governance practices, as well as ensuring the school reflects the needs and aspirations of the community.