Ouruhia School concerned over possible closure

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Ouruhia School concerned over possible closure

3News NZ

A meeting was held tonight to discuss the closure

A meeting was held tonight to discuss the closure

In Christchurch, 31 schools face closure or being merged with other schools. The announcement of the plan last week was so confusing, many have no idea what the Government is actually committed to doing.

But the Minister of Education was adamant – there will be consultation, and it will be listened to. Campbell Live is going to look for evidence of that happening.

Earmarked for closure, Ouruhia School is on the northern edge of Christchurch.

The people at school have a strong local identity, a growing local role, and real concern at the suggestion their school is being closed. A meeting was held tonight to discuss the closure.

Watch the video for reporter John Sellwood’s report.

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Comments

26/09/2012 12:53:03 a.m.

esther wrote:

Fantastic piece of journalism. Thanks John for bringing this very important issue out and into the homes of many kiwi's. Children are the future lifeline of our country and if we continue to ignore the issue of poverty we do so at our peril. I find it absolutely abhorrent that a country like ours is simply buryin gtheir head in the sand on this issue when it has such devastating effects on children and 'our' future - yes ours- all New Zealanders. These children ar ethe future workforce of our country - how the heck are they going to take care of us is they caanot learn through malnourishment. In order to get jobs they need qualifications and the consequences for NZ if we are not educating our kids to be globally competitive in tomorrows market will be economically and socially devastating. This is not rocket science and the problem is not difficult to address - we need a government and a country that VALUES children and let's start by ensuring our children are fed with good nutritious food and alomngside that fix the systemic issues which create poverty. Once again applaud TV 3 for highlighting these issues.

25/09/2012 7:24:30 p.m.

Granthorp wrote:

Yes, we MUST face the fact that our children are hungry. How long is it going to take to get this through to our Government. The immense cost of this, longterm, is incredible. Societal issues across the board, just because we cannot feed out kids. Yes, it's true that some parents may need education re healthy, cheaper food, but remember this, that if you have very little, and feel there is no hope of any change in your life; you feel that you are not able to provide for your kids adequately - what does this do for your self-esteem??? Many living in poverty will be utterly depressed. Come on NZ/Aotearoa lets kick this one out. If it only takes $4M a year then this has to come from somewhere!!! There is no excuse - we are a wealthy country - the wealth is just not being shared. We reap what we sow!! Kia Kaha!!

21/09/2012 11:18:15 p.m.

peeved wrote:

Gina, My kids have awesome lunches, because I combine resourcefulness with luck, but my benefit and child support does not cover groceries..!!! I have a stupid parenting order, limiting my availbality for owrk, and your comment offends me, yes, petrol is a very large expense, and the schools closing in chch, will increase this burdon, BUSES are too costly for us, also ! Christchurch residents are forced to stay here, with rents of $390 like mine, because of shared custody, after separation, commonality now. Get REAL, and thank you John Cambell, for reminding us all, what children need to have for lunch. !

20/09/2012 2:06:09 p.m.

Mavis wrote:

Thank you Campbell Live for shedding light on this crisis. I think it would be great for Decile 10 schools to adopt Decile 1 schools. Parents and students of Decile 10 schools would help by donating food, school supplies, even possibly donating used bags etc. This would see to the immediate needs of the students and also help foster a sense of community, awareness and mutual respect. I am deeply saddened to think that many of our kids start school and life on the back-foot but I'm confident in our ability as Kiwis to jump in and do what needs to be done to help our neighbours. Though the situation is enough to bring one to tears, I'm an optimist still. Well done Campbell Live - great job! One Love :)

19/09/2012 7:31:23 p.m.

Kyra wrote:

I was extremely upset last night while watching "Coast Watch" to see that after confiscating a massive haul of fish, MAF go and throw them all back in the sea dead!!! Surely these could be taken from the perpetrators but given to the hungry!!!!! What a devastating waste!!! We have starving children for whatever reason, and we waste so much of one of the most nutritious "Brain Foods" around!! In regards to other comments, No it is not up to the Government to FEED the people, but it is up to them to make sure the people have the RESOURCES avaliable to feed themselves. IE, better pay rates, cheaper costs of living, more jobs, etc...

19/09/2012 6:25:13 p.m.

Helen wrote:

Fight very hard to keep your schools. Labour put the razors through Southland schools a few years ago - those who fought retained their schools and those who did nothing had their schools closed.

19/09/2012 6:22:49 p.m.

Tutangata wrote:

I am a 17 year old student who attended a decile 3 school in Mt Roskill, Auckland and now attends a Catholic decile 8 college in Epsom, Auckland. I understand clearly the issues some kids face with lunches especially these past few years. I dont want to slander the parents who send the kids with little or no lunch as many here have already done so well at addressing that. All I am saying is, can we just cut the debate and please can the government act and feed our future movers and shakers of NZ. Enough pointing the finger, lets just fix it and cut the cycle now! Sincerely, a Pacific Islander boy who just wants to see change, not hatred.

18/09/2012 10:07:02 p.m.

Gina wrote:

Love how the he focuses on the cost of petrol as a reason for not feeding your kids. Take a car, wlak or catch a bus if you can't afford to run a car. Some parents may really be struggling but I don't understand how anyone could let his/her child go hungry. And, the junk food of those kids that have lunch is not exactly the cheapest food out there. For the price of a cookie time and a fizzy drink you could buy a loaf of bread and some ham, which has to be far more nutritious (though not perfect). Kids coming to school with junk food IS the parents fault.

18/09/2012 9:03:40 p.m.

Mrs R wrote:

A terrific piece of journalism, well done to 3news. Esp good was how the problem was laid out, and a solution was given as well. A sad and complex situation. Every child should have proper, nutritious food. Yet even more sad was the lack of compassion and understanding of a layered problem that is revealed among the comments. To those of you who judge the parents as lazy, must be nice for you that you've never made a mistake, or that you've never had problem after problem after problem after problem beat you down.

18/09/2012 7:03:37 p.m.

inga wrote:

This is sad, its not only the "goverment" at fault, It would be nice if those who could help would, may be we could start a "sponsor a lunch" not with money with food! that way we know it makes it to the kids who need it, I live in Australia, but if there's someone who is willing to take this on I would sponsor a childs lunch, after all these are kids my own daughter has to grow up.