School marks 10-year rise since turmoil

FLASHBACK: Student performers take centrestage at the official opening of Lakeview School on December 9, 2004, before a hall full of parents, dignitaries and supporters. PHOTO/FILE

Lakeview School today celebrates a decade of advancement and improvement since its inauguration amid turmoil and sadness after a government review closed five schools in the town, says principal Ed Hodgkinson.

The official opening in late 2004 of the decile-two school, which was formerly known as Hiona Intermediate School, was touted by then-Masterton mayor Bob Francis as an educational milestone for the town despite "mixed feelings and doubt in the community" leading up to the merging of the intermediate with Lansdowne and Totara Drive schools.

Dignitaries including National MP Bill English had attended the December 9 opening, which also featured songs and performances from some of its then more than 500 students.

An Area Network Review in 2003 also led to the closures of Harley Street and Masterton Central schools and the founding of Masterton Primary School at the Masterton Central School site. "We are very keen to celebrate that out of what was a quite tumultuous and sad time, with a real feeling of loss in some ways, has risen what we have today - Lakeview School - a great school supporting a wonderful community.

"Good things can arise from what may seem a terrible situation."

Mr Hodgkinson said changes he had overseen, since he took over from foundation principal Peter Debney about a year after inauguration, included a finer focus on performing arts and music at the school, advancing technology in the classroom like the daily one-to-one use of tablets among students, and "the cultural diversity of our community" reflected in rising numbers of Maori and Pacifica students among the present roll of 460 pupils.

"We've also seen wider collaborations with our community and a greater engagement of parents and community members, who have partnered with our teachers, and that was an issue, a challenge, that was recognised at the outset, " he said.

"There have also been changes over the past 10 years in the way teachers teach, which has likewise become more collaborative."

Celebrations at the school today were to include student performances from 2pm and keynote speakers before the unveiling of a plaque to mark the 10-year milestone.