New Report Supports Change To Co-ed At Halswell Residential College

An independent review released yesterday shows strong support for Halswell Residential College becoming fully co-educational, a decision confirmed by the Minister of Education, Hon. Hekia Parata, this week.

The Standards and Monitoring Services (SAMS) report says “the Evaluation Team believes Halswell Residential College provides an environment that minimises risk for all of its students regardless of gender and on this basis believes the College would successfully support a co-educational roll.”

Board of Trustees chair, Lois Chick says it is reaffirming to read the latest SAMS report, particularly as a 2014 ERO review and a SAMS assessment in 2013 were also extremely positive about the College and its educational programmes, considering the College was well placed to become co-educational. 

“This is a very positive, robust report and an accurate reflection of HRC,” she says.” We are very pleased that this latest SAMS evaluation makes particular mention of the systems and processes in place at HRC supporting the development of a safe and positive coeducational culture in the school.”

When the SAMS evaluation team asked many of the people involved in interviews for the report, what they felt about a co-educational environment now that the school has had girls since 2014, without exception people believed the inclusion of girls was a resounding success. Notable comments include:

It [HRC] provides a complete rounded social picture they won’t get any other way. (Student advocate)

Together we can train appropriate social interaction… it can be a lifetime impediment if we don’t address it at this stage. (Individual Education Programme (IEP) staff)

[talking about one student] she absolutely loves it there, it’s a very loving warm and supportive environment… It’s a very good tool for preparing them for life outside Halswell. (Intensive Wraparound Service (IWS) psychologist)

It’s been life changing for X.  Safety is number one for me, I don’t have any issues at all… we chose co-ed for X…I think 50% of the population is male and female anyway… you need to learn to be appropriate.  We’ve never had any issues… they are never left alone. (Parent of female HRC student)

Lois Chick says “All of our students are supported with individualised programmes and work alongside highly-trained staff in a stable and nurturing environment. Now that environment will be co-ed, clearly supported by this and other independent reports, and we couldn’t be happier for our students, family and staff.”                                              

www.halswellcollege.com

ENDS                                                                                     

For more information from the MOE go to this link  http://www.education.govt.nz/ministry-of-education/information-releases/halswell-residential-college-information-release-2016/

Additional information:

In May 2013, the Minister of Education, Hon. Hekia Parata, gazetted that:

Notice of Limit of Number of Female Students That May be Enrolled at Halswell Residential College (552)

Pursuant to section 146A(3)(a) of the Education Act 1989, I hereby declare that Halswell Residential College, which is a single sex boys’ school, will be able to enrol up to five female students. The number of girls enrolled will not exceed 40 percent of the actual number of boys enrolled at the school at any time. This will take effect from January 2014.

Our first five girls arrived in 2014. We have had to turn away female applications, due to limitations of the quota.

In 2012, and 2014 HRC applied to become co-educational. The Minister deferred a decision.

In 2015, HRC once again applied to become co-educational. This application has now been approved (July 2016).

More about Halswell Residential College

HRC provides round-the-clock, live-in, special education for children and young people with complex needs requiring extra support and specialist resources.  More information is available at www.halswellcollege.com

More about Standards and Monitoring Services, New Zealand (SAMS)

While primarily working under contract to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Social Development, SAMS undertakes evaluation projects directly with a wide range of Non-Government and Government organisations.

More information is available at www.sams.org.nz