Makoura College

Makoura College (spelled Makora College prior to 1990) is a state co-educational secondary school located in Masterton, New Zealand. The school opened in 1968 as the town's second state secondary school, alongside Wairarapa College. Serving Years 9 to 13 (ages 12 to 18), the school has a roll of 308 students as of March 2020.[2]

Makoura College
Address
Makora Road
Masterton 5810
New Zealand
Coordinates40.9620°S 175.6662°E / -40.9620; 175.6662
Information
TypeState Co-educational Secondary Years 9–13
MottoKia Manawanui
Established1968
Ministry of Education Institution no.243
PrincipalMarion Harvey[1]
School roll308[2] (March 2020)
Colour(s)Black and red
Socio-economic decile3G[3]
Websitemc.school.nz

History
Makora College in 1969.

Makoura College was established in 1968 to cope with an expanding youth population in the Masterton district. It began with a roll of approximately 800, and was governed by the same Board of Governors as nearby Wairarapa College.

The college was sited on the eastern side of Masterton, close to several primary schools,[4] and a then government-owned printing press.

During the Tomorrow's Schools reforms of the late 1980s, a stand-alone Board of Trustees was instated.

Facilities

The school's classrooms are largely contained within two 2-story H-shaped Nelson Blocks, although a technology block and arts block also house classes pertaining to their subject areas. The school also contains a hall, library, gymnasium, multi-purpose sports turf and Teen Parent Unit.[5] Makoura College also has a computer lab with 25 PCs.

In 2011 The school was refurbished. One of the Nelson blocks was rebuilt to house the junior school Te Kura Teina years 9 and 10 as well as the Wharenui. The other Nelson block was demolished and replaced by new classrooms.

Potential closure

In early April 2008, a private meeting was held between the Ministry of Education, the Makoura College Board of Trustees chairperson and the Wairarapa College board chairperson.[6][7] Since the meeting, the Makoura College Board has disclosed that it feels that the college should be merged with nearby Wairarapa College or closed. The board blamed the closure on a declining roll, which it suggested was the result of a declining population and "the socio-economic, racist and snobbish attitudes that have developed in Masterton around the so-called East/West divide".[8] A public meeting was held to discuss the consultation, and submissions were invited to the Board of Trustees, with approximately 225 being received.[9] College students initiated a petition in support of the school, which received approximately 7,512 signatures.[10] Local Member of Parliament John Hayes came out in support of the school and suggested the replacement of the school's management.[11]

On 7 August 2009, the Board of Trustees announced its resignation[12] The Board was replaced by commissioner Tim White. The Principal, Chris Scott, also resigned and was replaced in December 2008.

Former pupil Jemaine Clement and Flight of the Conchords partner Bret McKenzie played a concert to an audience of 2,000 on 31 March 2009, raising 70,000 dollars for the school.[13]

In 2018, the college celebrated its 50th Anniversary Reunion.[14]

Principals
Period Principal
1968-1975 Noel Scott
1975-1985 Noel Preston
1986-1990 Allen Chang
1991-1997 Paul Towers
1997-2008 Chris Scott
2008-2015 Tom Hullena
2016-2019 Paul Green
2020- Marion Harvey

Notable alumni

Jemaine Clement – Comedian, musician

Andrew Judd – Politician, activist[15]

References
  1. Hill, Eli (5 February 2020). "Harvey at Helm". Wairarapa Times-Age.
  2. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  3. "Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated Schools". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  4. Moir, Jo (8 July 2008). "Problems go back to start, says founding deputy principal". Wairarapa Times-Age.
  5. "Wairarapa Teen Parent Unit History". Makoura College. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  6. Moir, Jo (11 April 2008). "Makoura's chairman speaks". Wairarapa Times-Age.
  7. Moir, Jo (9 April 2008). "Is Makoura closing?". Wairarapa Times-Age.
  8. "Makoura College Considering possible options: draft for community consultation" (PDF). Makoura College Board of Trustees. July 2008. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2008.
  9. Stewart, Matt (8 August 2008). "Saved !". Wairarapa Times-Age.
  10. "Makoura delegation to Parliament". Wairarapa Times-Age. 10 September 2008.
  11. Moir, Jo (9 July 2008). "Makoura board should be replaced, says Hayes". Wairarapa Times-Age.
  12. "Makoura College Considering Possible Options: Report on Community Consultation & Recommendations" (PDF). August 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2010.
  13. "Quite big in Masterton: Flight of the Conchords raise $70,000 for school". The New Zealand Herald. 1 April 2009.
  14. Education, New Zealand Ministry of (17 November 2017). "Makoura College 50th Anniversary Reunion". Education Gazette. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  15. https://e-tangata.co.nz/news/andrew-judd-an-upbringing-too-white-by-far
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