Wesley College has launched legal action after the Ministry of Education ordered it to shut down most of its hostels by the end of the week following concerns about student safety.
The school had intended to close the hostels at the end of the term. Boarders with NCEA commitments and international students were allowed to stay until exams or the end of term.
On Monday, the Ministry of Education ordered Wesley College to close its hostels by the end of this week following further serious and "harmful" incidents.
It followed a year-long 1News investigation into the school published in 2023 which raised stories of bullying, violence and abuse and historical violence at the special character Methodist school.
Wesley College Trust Board said it had lodged an appeal with the Auckland District Court last night to challenge the Ministry's suspension notice.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including new speed cameras rolling out, fireworks start fires around the country, and Bluey’s new Christmas project. (Source: 1News)
In a statement, the board said the directive had placed "significant pressure" on students, families and staff.
"The Board believes the ministry’s approach has been unnecessarily disruptive, particularly for Year 9 and 10 students in the final weeks of the school year who are engaged in exams, learning projects, and end-of-year commitments. The board is disappointed the Ministry also chose to release details to the media before meeting with the board," it said.
"The trust board and school leadership take student safety seriously and believe they have met all requirements.
"The legal action relates solely to the abrupt closure directive, which affects Year 9 and Year 10 students. As the school community was advised earlier this term, we planned to close the hostels at the end of Term 4 in an orderly and well-supported way. The Board remains focused on ensuring the safety, stability, and continuity of care for all Wesley College students boarding in the hostels," the board said.
Changes had also been made to address any concerns, the board added, including one staff member for every 15 students overnight, one staff member for every 10 students during the day, and a minimum of two staff on duty in each dormitory at all times.
'Further serious incidents' prompted suspension - Ministry
Ministry of Education leader operations and integration Sean Teddy said on Monday the school's licence had been suspended after a pattern of serious and ongoing concerns about safety and wellbeing of boarders.
"While some improvements have been made since special conditions were imposed on the hostel’s renewed licence in April 2025, further serious incidents have occurred this year. These incidents have highlighted persistent issues with student safety, staff oversight, and the hostel’s ability to shift away from longstanding practices that place boarders at risk."
The Education Review Office had also recommended the suspension of the hostels' licence in September.
"This recommendation, alongside the Ministry’s own monitoring and the recurrence of harmful incidents, has led to the conclusion that continued operation of the hostel in its current state is not in the best interests of boarders," Teddy said.
To minimise disruption to learning, boarders with NCEA commitments and international students could remain until exams finish and until the end of term respectively.
"The Ministry remains focused on making sure that all boarders are safe and supported and will continue to work closely with the school and families to manage this transition," Teddy added.
The Ministry of Education has been contacted for comment on the filing of legal action.
SHARE ME