‘No prior knowledge’: Albany school blindsided by junior high's surprise bid

A stoush has erupted between North Shore sister schools after a surprise bid by the junior high to cater for older students blindsided its senior counterpart, which says it is “disappointed” by the move. 

The proposal could reshape the long-standing two-school model between Albany Senior High School and Albany Junior High School, with the Ministry of Education now considering an application. 

Albany Junior High submitted the bid last week to extend its cohort up until Year 13. It currently only serves students in Years 7 to 10. 

Students then typically attend Albany Senior High, whose principal told the Herald the school remained “committed” to the current structure and was not told about the junior school’s bid until Friday. 

Albany Junior High principal Cushla Shephard told the Herald the board’s decision followed years of community feedback, with parents saying they wanted to keep children at the school for longer. 

“Many families have told us they value our school’s educational approach, culture, and direction, and would like greater continuity beyond Year 10.” 

Shephard said she could not comment further while the application was being considered. 

In an email sent on Friday to parents and caregivers, the board stressed the proposal was only an application at this stage. The ministry would now conduct an assessment and consultation process before making a decision. 

The application reflected the board’s commitment to listening to the community and planning for the school’s long-term future, regardless of the outcome, the email said. 

Albany Junior High School has applied to extend its provision through to Year 13. Photo / NZME 

Albany Senior High principal Claire Amos told the Herald she had no prior knowledge of Albany Junior High’s application. 

She said she did not want to “stoke” suggestions of conflict between the two schools, and would not say if she had been in contact with the sister school since the announcement. 

However, in an email to the school community on Friday, Amos expressed frustration at the junior school’s surprise move. 

“We are ... disappointed to receive this news.” 

She remained committed to the current two-school model, describing it as one designed to meet the different educational needs of students in Years 7 to 10 and Years 11 to 13. 

The school believed strongly in specialist senior secondary education and to being the senior schooling choice for the Albany community. 

The school expected to take part in the Ministry of Education’s consultation process and may seek feedback from students, parents, alumni and the wider community as part of its formal response to the application. 

Claire Amos, principal of Albany Senior School. Photo / Dean Purcell 

Amos also called on former students and their families to share testimonials about their experiences at the school, saying these could help demonstrate the benefits of the specialist senior high model. 

She reassured families that the application did not alter the current education pathway and said Albany Senior High would continue offering its existing programmes while the ministry considered the proposal. 

Amos said Albany Senior High was proud of its curriculum, which combined specialist subject teaching with tutorials and impact projects to prepare students for university, employment and life beyond school. 

According to both schools’ websites, the schools have always been promoted as complementary rather than competing. 

Albany Junior High’s prospectus describes Albany Senior High as its “sister school” and both schools said they work closely together to ensure students transition smoothly from Year 10 into senior secondary education. 

The schools have collaborated on initiatives, including the “Better Together” campaign, which featured alumni who attended both schools and highlighted the benefits of the two-school pathway. 

The ministry’s director of education for Tāmaki Makaurau – north and west, Tanya Harvey, confirmed Albany Junior High had applied to extend its provision through to Year 13. 

“The ministry is now considering the application and will seek feedback as part of that process before making a decision. 

“We’ll have more to say once that work is complete.” 

Rachel Maher is the education correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. She also covers a variety of other topics like Auckland issues, crime and local government. She started at the Herald as a breaking news journalist in 2022, before joining the Auckland team this year.