Court battle for PM's old school begins

School's out, and possibly for the last time for pupils at Prime Minister John Key's old school, Aorangi primary in Christchurch.

As students head home for the summer holidays, lawyers go to battle in the High Court today to reverse the decision of Education Minister Anne Tolley to shut the Bryndwr school.

The board of trustees is seeking a judicial review challenging the process Ms Tolley used to make her decision.

The review is to be heard in court today and tomorrow.

"If we are successful and here next year, we'll start fresh," Aorangi principal Stephanie Thompson told The Press.

"Whatever the outcome, it will be a new beginning."

Going to the High Court was the only way the school could get "some sort of natural justice", she said.

Ms Tolley said last week she was confident her process would stand up to the judicial review.

- NZPA