Minister praises integrated schools as milestone reached

Titled Stronger Together – Celebrating 50 Years of State-Integrated Schools, the publication has a foreword by Ms Stanford in which she congratulates proprietors, school leaders, teachers and staff on the milestone.

“Your dedication and commitment over the last half a century have made the integrated schooling sector what it is today – a fundamental component of our education system,” Ms Stanford wrote.

“Integrated schools have become an essential part of our education landscape, and New Zealand is unique in having a state-integrated schooling sector which offers parents and family a choice based on their religious or philosophical beliefs,” she added.

“Making up 13 per cent of our schools and enrolling 11 per cent of our students in 2024, state-integrated schools play a significant role in responding to the diverse needs of our students.

“Your contributions not only raise student achievement and attendance, but also lead change and innovation across the schooling system.”

Ms Stanford added that, as “our communities and our country continue to grow and evolve, the needs of our students are changing, too. Through this, we have new and exciting opportunities to strengthen and expand our schooling network. I want to acknowledge the ongoing and collaborative discussions with state-integrated schools and proprietors about how we can strategically plan to meet this growth. We value your insights and look forward to continuing these conversations.”

The Minister also thanked the Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools (APIS) for its advocacy and contribution to the education system. Ms Stanford said she looked forward to “seeing what the next 50 years will bring for our integrated schools and the students they serve”.

APIS chief executive Dr Kevin Shore said in an introduction to the publication that the passage into law of the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act (PSCIA) on October 10, 1975, was “a vital move that saved many, including Catholic schools”.

Dr Shore said the Act “embodies a spirit of fairness and partnership”.

“The state-integrated sector in Aotearoa New Zealand is considered with envy by many nations, and we must not forget that,” he said.

FULL STORY

Special publication to mark 50 years of State-Integrated Schools launched (NZCEO/Facebook)

Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools 50 Years (APIS)