Troubled boys' school to close

By REBECCA WALSH, education reporter

St Stephen's School in Bombay will close at the end of this week after months of uncertainty.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard announced on Tuesday that the Government would cut funds to the troubled Maori boys' boarding school because of concerns for the health and safety of its students and about its management.

The school, which has a history stretching back to 1844, will close its doors on Friday.

Mr Mallard also announced plans to set up a new state-financed Maori boys' school with a new name at the site. It could be established by the beginning of 2002.

The decision to close St Stephen's, which follows months of speculation over its future, is seen by the school's trust board and the church as being in the best interests of Maori education.

Nobody at the school would comment yesterday. Security guards monitored the grounds to prevent media entering the property.

Speaking after the hui at the school, Mr Mallard said making the decision had been a complex process, but it marked a new beginning.

In August, Mr Mallard said he would have no option but to cancel the school's integration agreement - under which the money for running the school is provided - because of concerns about student health and safety.

This year, two incidents of bullying at the school were reported to police.

In February, more than 20 senior students were suspended for three days after junior boys were hit with a stick and kicked.

An Education Review Office report in August said that the school's "culture of violence" had not changed over the past 10 years, teaching standards were poor and arrangements for protecting boarders were unsatisfactory.

Months earlier, the Anglican trust, which administers St Stephen's and its sister girls' school, Queen Victoria School in Parnell, announced it would close both schools because of financial difficulties. The St Stephen's roll had fallen to about 80 students.

The trust planned to set up a coeducational school in South Auckland in 2002.

Students and staff at both schools opposed their closures.

The Bishop of Aotearoa, Te Whakahuihui Vercoe, said the new beginning recognised the status that St Stephen's had as a taonga for Maori. He said the environment at the school had to change, but media reports of bullying had been "taken out of proportion."

"There will be changes in the environment, in the classrooms and in the building facilities ... The spirit of the school will continue but in a new way, in a more purposeful way."

Rangi Pouwhare, chairwoman of the trust board, said it had been an emotional and sad day, but it was time to start looking forward.

Ms Pouwhare said the trust board would continue to have a role in development of the new school, but changes would be made in the way it was managed.

Mr Mallard said the ministry would help students and their families find a new school and provide financial assistance for costs such as new uniforms and extra travel and fees.