Rangitaiki Independent School is proposing to establish a school for performance music and arts under section 156 of the Education Act.

Trustees of the Rangitaiki Independent School Charitable Trust have applied to the Minister of Education to establish a designated character school using the facilities at the Rangitaiki Independent School.

The core subjects - literacy, maths and science etc - will still be a main focus as it is now at Rangitaiki.

Trust chairman Phil Baldey says this is a very exciting educational development for the Eastern Bay.

The proposed name of the new school is Eastern Bay of Plenty School of Performance Music and the Arts, Te Kura Takiwa o Nga Toi.

'It's neither a private charter school nor a religious integrated school. It would, however, be funded by the Ministry in a similar way that other state schools are.

'Such schools already exist in the form of Kura a Iwi and the mainstream Discovery Schools in Christchurch and Wellington.”

The designated character of this proposed school would be performance music and the arts and it will replicate the unique philosophies of Rangitaiki Independent School as it now operates.

Phil says the opportunity to seek the establishment of the Te Kura Takiwa o Nga Toi has all been made possible by Gay and Greg West, the owners of Rangitaiki Independent School.

'They have offered to gift the school's considerable resources to the trust and subsequently to the Crown if the new school is established.

'They see this as the best way to ensure that the school retains its unique philosophy as it is in the best interests of the students, parents and the wider community.”

As part of the designated character application, enrolments criteria and priorities will be negotiated with the Ministry of Education to enable existing students of Rangitaiki Independent School and the Little School House to transfer to the new school. Criteria will also apply for other applicants.

These are on the school's website.

In the case of Eastern Bay of Plenty School of Performance Music and the Arts, all students must be part of the school's performance music and arts programme and agree to abide by the key philosophies of the school.

The maximum roll of the school will be 110. The roll increase must be managed over three years (2016 – 2018).

To support this process the directors of Rangitaiki Independent School have agreed to put an enrolment scheme in place immediately.

Private schools do not usually do this, says Phil.

'The Trust does not expect the Ministry to provide new buildings or facilities. The new school will continue Rangitaiki's philosophy of utilising local council and state school facilities for example the town library, aquatic centre, the Little Theatre etc.

'The trust will retain the same excellent staff, who have already demonstrated that they are committed to the school's culture and philosophies.”

Other staff will be needed and will be selected on their ability to enhance the schools Designated Character.

Phil Baldey was at pains to point out that although the school will have this designated character, the core subjects - literacy, maths and science etc - will still be a main focus as it is now at Rangitaiki.

International research and the school's own data prove that students who learn a sophisticated musical instrument at school, perform better academically in all subjects, says Phil.

If the Minister agrees to the establishment of the new school it will commence in January 2016.

If the application is refused, the Trust is committed to continuing Rangitaiki Independent School as a private not for profit school.

Phil invites past and present students and parents and the general public to express their support for the new school.

'We would appreciate people signing and collecting signatures for the petition on the school's website. There is also a list on the website of other support you may wish to offer.”