The Government has announced the seventh charter school due to open next year.
TIPENE was described as an active collaboration between the St Stephen’s Old Boys Association and the St Stephens Queen Victoria’s Trust.
The full-time boarding school located in South Auckland would cater to Māori and Pacific boys in years 9-13, Associate Education Minister David Seymour said.
It would use “well-established cultural frames” and teaching practices that “promote success, and are specifically designed to inspire Māori boys”.
“Every child deserves an education that gives them the opportunity to learn and grow in ways which are more specific to their needs. TIPENE is a fantastic example of a school that will give families and educators more meaningful educational choice and support,” he said.
The announcement brings the total number of charter schools opening next year to seven.
Other schools announced as part of the pilot programme include Christchurch North College, a middle school for children in Y7-10, and the Busy School, for students in Y11-13 and part of an Australian chain of schools.
The Ecole Francaise Internationale would provide a curriculum approved by the French government, and secondary school North West Creative Arts College would focus on the creative arts.
Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao would open in Kaitaia next year, providing immersion in reo Māori for primary school children.
These schools join Mastery Schools New Zealand – Arapaki, which was a full-time school for Y1-8 students who have various learning difficulties and were disengaged from mainstream schooling.
Seymour said this was “just the beginning”, as the Charter School Agency and independent Authorisation Board processed 78 applications in the first round.
“I hope to see many more new charter schools opening, and state and state-integrated schools converting to become charter schools,” Seymour said.
