School hurt by prison shutdown

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 22, 28 October 1986, Page 1

School hurt by prison shutdown

The decision to close Waikune Prison has had more far-reaching effects on the Ruapehu region than many envisaged. The ripples from the wave caused by the Government's decision have swamped the community of National Park and left the residents standing on shaky ground. The decision to close the prison was made in June this year as a cost-cutting measure by the Justice Department. Since the announcement was made, all of the prisoners and nearly all of the staff and their families have been relocated in other regions. Particularly affected by these departures is National Park School which already lost 23 children from its roll. The last prison superintendent and his family including seven children are due to leave b.y 30 November, which will bring the number of pupils down even further. As the number of teachers depends on how many children at the school there will be fewer teachers next year. When the Wanganui Education Board did its annual grading of the school in July it decided that the allocation of teachers would drop from five to three staff in 1987. The school has just one permanent staff member at present. The other four teachers are in relieving positions. Acting principal Lorna Kramer is lined up for transfer to another area, with new principal Mrs Doris Portier taking. up the position at the beginning of next year.

The closure of the prison and the subsequent drop in the school's roll has had a detrimental effect on the morale of teachers, parents, children and in fact the whole village, according to Lorna. The school has also been affected badly by the removal of the prison's support in providing transport for school trips, and also the laundry facility provided by the camp for the school's linen. Social life for the adult population of National Park has also suffered due to the loss of the officer's club at the prison, where activities included badminton and gymnastics. "General depression is bound to hit a community when something is removed so suddenly and so completely," said Mrs Kramer. "The community is left with a feeling of impermanence and everyone is asking themselves 'What's going to happen next?' " The feeling of uncertainty is compounded by the fact that at present no-one, the government or any other body, is prepared to say what the fate of the redundant prison camp will be. National Park is referred to by locals as a village, and this implies a closely-knit community. The removal of one vital link in the chain is enough to weaken the whole unit. On 1 December. the Waikune complex comes up for tender and hopes are held in the village that another community may take the place of the Waikune community.