Girls rally for loved school | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Torrential rain didn't stop three former Kawerau Intermediate students determined to help keep their old school open.

Dominique Kara-Tihi, Monica Hudson and Keanu Peters were all Year 8 students at Kawerau Intermediate in 2010 but are now at Whakatane High School.

Yesterday they weren't at school because of a teacher-only day but turned up soaking wet at the intermediate to offer help after Education Minister Anne Tolley announced its probable closure.

As part of the reorganisation of Kawerau schools due to declining rolls, Mrs Tolley has said the Ministry of Education wants to close the intermediate, have Kawerau South School cater for years one to eight and merge Putauki, Kawerau North and Kawerau Central schools. Kawerau College remains unchanged under the preferred option, which went out for public consultation earlier this year.

Mrs Tolley has given the Kawerau community 28 days to change her mind before the preferred option is adopted.

"They should leave this school alone," Dominique said. "It's better than the other schools in Kawerau, all of them."

The three girls said while Whakatane High School was a good school, Kawerau Intermediate remained "their school".

"This is where we grew up and got ready for college," Monica said. "Everyone here was pretty much the same age and we didn't have to look after little ones or worry about big people."

Dominique said the Kawerau Intermediate staff, especially principal Daryl Aim, helped her change her attitude.

"I came here with a pretty bad attitude toward learning but when I left, I wanted more."

Both Monica and Dominique completed Year 7 at Putauki while Keanu went to Whakatane Intermediate for Year 7.

"But Putauaki didn't really offer much sport or have nearly as many things to do," Monica said.

Students will lose 30 sports events on the Kawerau Intermediate calender if it closes as only full intermediates can take part.

Sitting in Mr Aim's office, the trio shared plans to stage a variety show and gather their former classmates to support the school.

"Why aren't [the Ministry] asking the kids what they want? All the kids who go to the intermediate now and us are gutted it's going to close," Dominique said.

A community meeting will be held at Kawerau Intermediate at 6pm, Monday May 9.