26 Aug 2010

School says sorry for fake letter from minister

6:30 am on 26 August 2010

A Southland school has apologised to Education Minister Anne Tolley for using a fake letter with her signature.

The letter was part of a creative writing exercise for year five and six students at Otatara Primary School.

It detailed how the school day was being extended by one hour next year and asked students to write to the Government with their reactions.

Copies of the letter were not supposed to leave the school but a parent contacted the minister.

Board of trustees chair Justin Reid says while the school regrets the incident, the creative writing exercise was very successful, with students producing outstanding responses.