More turbulence for Fairfield College

Fairfield College. Photo / Herald on Sunday

The Anne Caldwell case has come at a turbulent time in Fairfield College's history.

Education Review Office reports in 2000 and 2004 criticised the state school's lack of achievement and recommended changes.

Late last year, 80 per cent of staff affiliated to the PPTA union gave a vote of no confidence in principal Julia Small, the senior leadership team and the board.

In February, 200 students went on strike and protested against school management.

Police had to intervene as the head of the Maori department, Watson Pita, tried to stop TV cameras filming the students, who refused to return to class.

That prompted the board of trustees to resign and the Education Ministry to appoint commissioner Dennis Finn to run the college. He said the school had been through a lot but was "absolutely on the way up". Significant changes included a revised curriculum to changes to student management.

Finn said there was much to be done, but the school was moving forward.