Source: Radio New Zealand
Staff and students at Wesley College did not not report assaults on junior students, the Education Review Office said in its report. RNZ / Shannon Haunui-Thompson
The Education Review Office is firing back at Wesley College, saying it strongly refutes claims about it made by its principal.
The school south of Auckland, one of the country’s oldest, on Tuesday released a a critical ERO report from September written ahead of moves to shutter its hostel.
After releasing it, principal Brian Evans said the ERO was “deeply disrespectful” and it had accused students of lying and covering up.
Evans claimed students said they were badgered about whether they felt safe at the school.
The report detailed more the 30 senior students leaving their hostel at night and going to a junior building.
A small group of senior boys either participated in or observed the bullying and assault of junior students, the ERO report said.
“The supervising staff and wider student body did not prevent the incident, nor was it reported immediately by either staff or students,” it detailed.
The ERO ended its report recommending the suspension of the hostel’s licence, saying it did not have confidence the five hostel buildings were safe.
Principal Brian Evans in his own statement said the ERO was dismissive of students and said they felt pressured to give negative answers.
The school is currently heading to court to try to stop the hostels shutting down much earlier than it wanted.
ERO responds
Responding to the principal’s comments about its report, the ERO said it made no apology for making sure student welfare was prioritised and protected.
“ERO is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of students who live at the Wesley College hostel,” ERO deputy chief executive Shelley Booysen said.
“This is not a safe place for students,” she said
Booysen said Wesley College has a long history of abuse and the ERO had made strong recommendations after finding significant issues.
“ERO strongly refutes the claims made by Brian Evans about our review team and approach to evaluating Wesley College’s hostels,” she said.
Booysen said ERO reviewers had a Code of Conduct and there were comprehensive quality assurance processes.
She said the review being questioned by the principal “meets all requirements”.
Wesley College ‘is much more than headlines’ – principal
Brian Evans has told parents and caregivers that media coverage of the ERO report, which the school itself released, had been challenging.
He said it had “understandably impacted” teachers, students and families.
“Please know this: Wesley College is much more than today’s headlines. We are a community built on faith, resilience, and a deep commitment to the growth and well-being of every student,” Evans wrote on the school’s Facebook account.
“While we don’t deny the truth, our own truth, happiness and love everyone feels for Wesley has largely been dismissed by the authorities. It is now our job to reclaim that and let our voice be heard,” he said.
Evans said safeguarding systems at Wesley College were among the best in the country.
“We have worked hard to move away from past cultures of silence to a school where every voice matters and is heard,” he said.
“This is not easy change, but it is real and happening.”
Wesley College signalled last month it would close its hostels at the end of the year over ongoing safety concerns.
But the Ministry of Education then suspended its licence, wanting the hostels shut by last week following what it said was a pattern of serious and ongoing concerns.
Wesley College has lodged an appeal in the Auckland District Court.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
