Surfdale Hall looks likely to become the new venue for a Steiner primary school on the island.
Waiheke Local Board decided at its meeting last Thursday to approve in principle the long-term rental of a room at Surfdale Hall for the Waiheke Island Steiner School.
The school plans to use the hall as a temporary location and to develop a permanent school at another location in two to three years, once the school is established, says parent and school development team member Tania Aroha-Twentyman.
“We are absolutely delighted with the local board’s decision to let us hire Surfdale Hall.
“Many families have had such a wonderful early childhood education experience at Fossil Bay kindergarten, and will be thrilled they will be able to continue this journey into the school-age years,” says Ms Aroha-Twentyman.
Planning for a new Steiner school on Waiheke began about two years ago and about 20 families are eager to enrol their children, who are aged six to eight.
The school plans to operate on weekdays between 8.30am and 2.30pm and will focus on innovative learning and creativity.
Although the Steiner classroom is likely to operate from the room with a wooden floor in the hall, the group hopes that other hall users will mostly be able to continue using the space, says school development team member Bronwyn Harvey.
The group will engage with current hall users, neighbours and the wider community, before seeking resource consent from Auckland Council to establish a temporary educational facility on the site.
Registration with the Ministry of Education is also needed and could take about three months for the school to gain.
The group planning the school hopes it will open in the first term of next year, if not before, says Ms Harvey.
People who are interested in enrolling their child, or have questions, can contact Ms Aroha-Twentyman on 027 688 9204. • Rose Davis
