Some school students in Christchurch are preparing to face the new year in a merged school, as post-quake education reforms begin to take effect.
Under the Government's plans for greater Christchurch, seven schools have closed, nine will merge and three high schools will now include Year 7 and 8 students from closed intermediates.
Hornby High School will open its gates on Friday to more than 150 Year 7 and 8 students who are moving from Branston Intermediate School, which was closed last year.
School principal Richard Edmundson says there is great support from the community for the merger, which will push up his school's roll to about 600 pupils.
