Ashburton College will review its policies, following a 1News investigation into allegations of serious bullying on its campus.
It comes after a three-part series by 1News, which uncovered 16 bullying allegations at the Mid Canterbury high school. The claims stretch over nearly a decade, but over half are from the last two years.
Multiple families came forward to allege that they were ignored by the school management after raising complaints. One allegation from last month detailed how a 14-year-old girl had attempted suicide after repeated bullying.
In a statement late this afternoon, the Ministry of Education confirmed a review would be held at the school.
“The school has already undertaken to review its policies and/or procedures, as a result of the concerns raised,” a spokesperson said.
“This includes a review of their health and safety practices.”
Ashburton College had previously defended its policies in a letter to families and caregivers at the school, and said that it was reflecting on how it can continue to strengthen and improve its systems, processes and support for students.
When initially contacted for the investigation, it said it worked “very hard” to address concerns and worked on the advice of the Ministry of Education, NetSafe, He Waka Tapu and the New Zealand police.
Earlier today the school’s principal, Ross Preece, rejected calls to resign in comments to his local newspaper.
Preece has declined to be interviewed by 1News, but told the Ashburton Guardian that “bullying is part of life”.
“We regret that some parents have a negative view of the college, but there are thousands of college students who have had a successful experience,” he is reported to have said.
He described the allegations as a “real worry” – not because of the reported bullying, but because it may discourage others from aspiring to be principals.
“What does scare me is that the number of people who aspire to be principals is dropping,” he reportedly said.
In the article, Preece also suggested he had “about 10 messages” from the Ministry and “another colleague” saying, “hey listen, it’s just unfortunate, it’s your [school’s] turn [to attract negative national media attention]”.
Preece is reported to have said he was unable to respond to the bullying allegations due to privacy issues, but that the college’s bullying message remains the same – to tell somebody, so that the bullying can be dealt with.
1News approached Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti, who oversees the relevant Government portfolio, to ask whether she did support the principal.
She did not agree that bullying was “part of life”, and said the Ministry was in touch with Preece over the allegations.
“We need to make certain all of those young people are safe in the school, so that's first and foremost the most important part, then they will make decisions after that about what the next steps are required,” she said.
Minister Tinetti said it was too early to confirm whether an investigation was required into the bullying at the college. She also wouldn’t comment when asked whether students had been let down.
“The Ministry of Education are working with the principal there - this is something that they will come back to me, to give me further advice around, so I wouldn't like to make a statement around that at this point,” she said.
Later this afternoon, the Ministry confirmed Ashburton College would be running its own review of its “policies and/or procedures”.
Nancy Bell, who is the Ministry’s Hautū Te Tai Runga (South Leader), added that the New Zealand School Trustees Association were involved.
“Ashburton College is required to have policies and procedures in place to manage unacceptable behaviour,” she said.
“A review of the school’s policies and procedures is a legislative requirement of Boards of Trustees and we have offered to be part of the review.”
Bell did not confirm the details of the review, or which policies and procedures would be reviewed.
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