9/07/2024
Kirsten Hartley
[FYI request #26912 email]
Tēnā koe Kirsten
OIA: 1330754 – Massey High School classrooms
Thank you for your email of 12 June 2024 to the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) requesting the
following information:
My daughter currently attends Massey High, she has advised that ALL classrooms in D
block are still being used, the school has no option but to use these classrooms as there
simply isn’t enough classrooms for everyone. [
1]
It will be wonderful to have D block
renovated please advise timeline for this to happen?
Classroom numbers, I am hearing that some classes now have 35-40 students in certain
classes. I believe this number is far to high and does not allow either staff or students to be
taught effectively. You say that Massey High is only temporarily at capacity, however when
I Hear classroom numbers of this size I believe this is a bigger problem which needs to be
address. Please advise what is being done to give the school [
2]
additional teaching staff
and [
3]
classrooms to allow our children to get a really good education?
Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act). Please note
that we have numbered your questions for ease of reference, as noted above.
In response to
part one of your request, no firm timeline is yet set, and in consideration of likely
design and construction activities it is unlikely that D block will be back in operation for at least
another 18 months. We note that some of the work related to the refurbishment will need to occur
outside of school terms to mitigate risk and disruption to students and staff.
In response to
part two of your request, regarding classroom sizes, it is important to note that
schools are responsible for managing the number of students in a classroom. Schools can choose
how they utilise available space to deliver the curriculum, such as by combining smaller classes
into a larger class. Where this occurs on a long-term basis sufficient teacher resource to cater to
the size of the classroom should be maintained. Further information on teaching entitlement ratios
can be found on our website here: https://www.education.govt.nz/school/funding-and-
financials/resourcing/school-and-kura-staffing/entitlement-staffing/#Curr
Massey High School (MHS) is currently being staffed on its confirmed roll of 1555 students. If a
school’s roll has continued to increase, then the school can submit a Staffing Roll Change Request
Auckland Office, Level 3, 12-18 Normanby Road, Mt Eden, Auckland 1024
Private Bag 92644, Symonds Street, Auckland 1149 Phone: +64 9 632 9400
application to the Ministry to receive additional staffing. We have not received any application from
MHS (as of 25 June 2024) to provide additional resourcing.
In response to
part three of your request, the Ministry can confirm that we have funded four short-
term classrooms to assist with in-zone roll growth pressures at MHS. The Ministry met with MHS in
June 2024 to discuss potential locations, which are to be finalised and progressed. We intend to
have the four classrooms delivered and operational by the beginning of term one, 2025. Future
growth is planned for the school and will be prioritised alongside other investments for schools
across the country.
Please note, we may publish this response on our website after five working days. Your name and
contact details will be removed.
Thank you again for your email.
Nāku noa, nā
Sam Fowler
Head of Property
Te Pou Hanganga, Matihiko | Infrastructure and Digital
OIA: 1330754
