Statutory manager appointed at Auckland’s Wesley College amid allegations of violence

Wesley College was established in 1844 and is New Zealand's oldest registered secondary school. Photo / Shannon Haunui-Thompson, RNZ

The Ministry of Education has appointed a statutory manager at Auckland’s Wesley College after concerns about violence and management of the school’s hostels.

Dr Shane Edwards has been appointed as limited statutory manager (LSM) to help run the board, including its “functions, powers, and duties in curriculum management and policies and procedures”, the ministry told the Herald.

It follows allegations of bullying, violence and abuse at the special character Methodist college, one of the country’s oldest secondary schools.

The Herald has sought comment from Wesley College.

1News reported that allegations had emerged of students receiving “coverings”, where they were made to cover their faces before being punched, kicked and slapped by older students.

There were claims that it was normal to be assaulted by older students for making mistakes, with coverings occurring almost weekly.

A special review into the school was commissioned recently by the Education Review Office, which had been working with the school since March last year.

The ministry said it revoked revoked the school’s hostel licence following an inspection in November in order to address “a number of concerns”, including potential breaches of the Education (Hostels) Regulations 2005.

It’s alleged there was a lack of appropriate overnight supervision at the hostels.

However, after a re-inspection in January this year, the ministry was “satisfied” the school had met its licencing requirements to operate five of its six hostels.

“The College has decided to close 1 of their 6 hostels (Harding House) for the year to carry out renovations.”

The ministry said that as a LSM, Edwards may also advise the college board on employment, and the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students.

His appointment took effect yesterday.

“The aim of any intervention is always to return the school to full self-management as soon as the recommendations of the intervention have been met,” the ministry said.

Last year, the Methodist Church acknowledged survivors of historical abuse at Wesley College, saying it recognised the pain and suffering.

In October, the church told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care that it wanted to apologise unreservedly to abuse victims.

It also acknowledged people who had suffered abuse in former children’s homes and other schools overseen by the Methodist Church.

Through lawyer Maria Dew, KC, the church said some children were horribly abused and neglected.

Twenty out of 28 redress claims received by the church have been, or were in the process of being, resolved, it said.

More to come.