KEY POINTS:
A school that has been under siege since a student took his own life 15 weeks ago is "moving forward" and becoming a happier place to be, according to officials.
Staff and students at Takapuna Grammar were "reassured" by the findings of two official investigations that effectively absolved the school of any blame over Toran Henry's death, board of trustees chairwoman Jan Hill said yesterday.
But the boy's mother, Maria Bradshaw, and his friends are still angry over the way students were treated in the days and weeks following the 17-year-old's high-profile death.
Toran died a day after a beating at the school on Auckland's North Shore which was reportedly filmed by other students. His death came hours after a series of phone conversations with mental health case workers that reportedly left him distressed.
Hill said there was "no doubt" reports by the Education Review Office and retired judge Sir Ian Barker, QC, had "helped to answer questions".
Barker's 56-page investigation, commissioned by the school, concluded it acted in "good faith" towards Toran.
Hill agreed with Barker that the school had been "scarred" by the "tremendously sad" death, and the "really difficult situation" it had found itself in since. Barker's recommendations around caring for mentally ill students were part of an action plan that was already being implemented.
But while the sombre mood may be easing at the school, which hired security guards after the incident gained widespread media attention in March, Toran's former classmates were still suffering, his mother said yesterday.
Bradshaw told the Herald on Sunday some Toran's friends were devastated last week to be denied the right to speak at or attend a meeting to evaluate the support given to students at the time of his death.
The meeting was run by privately owned mental health consultants Clinical Advisory Support Aotearoa (CASA) and attended by representatives from Victim Support, the police, the school and youth health agencies.
Bradshaw said she and Toran's friends found out about it through another school's guidance counsellor.
Toran's friends, some of whom claim they were subjected to five hours of illegal mediation and forced to sign confidentiality agreements directly after his death, wanted to speak out about the way they were treated and asked Bradshaw to advocate for their involvement.
She said when a CASA representative denied that request the students unsuccessfully tried to find out the location and time of the meeting to "stage a peaceful protest at not being allowed to be heard".
Bradshaw has dismissed Barker's report as "a whitewash", saying it was created only to salvage the school's damaged reputation.
REPORTS' KEY FINDINGS
ERO SPECIAL REVIEW:
The board of trustees took all practical steps to provide a safe emotional and physical environment.
School policies provide detailed, well-written and carefully thought through guidelines for staff action when a health and safety issue arises.
The school's response to Toran's death was prompt, giving the highest possible priority to the well-being of students in the school.
The board acted upon expert advice after the "traumatic incident".
Strategies to support students most closely associated with Toran were put in place to deal with the immediate situation, and on an ongoing basis. All students were given access to extra support and care.
Good strategies were also put in place to deal with staff distress.
The board's decision to order an "independent inquiry" reflects its commitment to self-review and a safe emotional environment.
Student support and guidance services are "extensive, and efficiently run".
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The board should consider implementing key elements of the health curriculum at senior level.
It should also find ways to make the good range of available support more visible to junior students.
SIR IAN BARKER QC's REPORT
The school acted in good faith.
The school's performance in respect of Toran was of an appropriate standard.
It was not clear whether much else could have been done by the school.
An allegation that the school wanted to "get rid of him" was unjustified.
RECOMMENDATION:
Special attention be paid when a serious mental health condition is known.
