Gloriavale school fails second audit
Gloriavale Christian School's registration could be suspended or cancelled if it does not rectify issues identified in another failed audit, the Ministry of Education says.
It has expressed serious concern about an Education Review Office (ERO) report that found the private school has not met three of eight registration criteria and is not a physically and emotionally safe space for students.
It is the second time the Christian community's school on the West Coast has failed an audit in as many years.
Andrea Williams, the ministry's acting hautū (leader) Te Tai Runga (South), said staff would meet with school leaders next week to discuss the ERO report and the ministry's response to its findings.
"The ministry is seriously concerned by the ERO's conclusion that the school continues to fall short of providing a physically and emotionally safe environment for students and has failed its compliance audit for the second consecutive year," she said.
"The ministry is currently working on its response to the report which will be communicated to the school next week. We will expect the school to take immediate and meaningful steps to address the issues identified.
"If the school does not demonstrate sustained and measurable improvement within the timeframe we require, the ministry will consider all available options under the Act, including suspension or cancellation of registration."
Under the Education and Training Act, the ministry could cancel the registration of a private school if it no longer met the criteria, including providing suitable premises, staffing, curriculum or ensuring student safety and well-being.
The step was considered only after other avenues had been exhausted and where there was clear and ongoing non-compliance, the ministry said.
The ERO report, published on July 2, found Gloriavale Christian School staff were following the New Zealand curriculum and education provision was "slowly improving".
A damning 2023 ERO review found the school did not meet six of the eight criteria for private school registration and the provision of education was "inadequate and uncertain".
"At that time, court cases citing incidences of physical and sexual abuse of children within the Gloriavale community and findings about young people's employment status and the suitability of some school staffing were significant events impacting schooling," the latest report said.
Following a review visit at the end of last year, the ERO said there was a lack of suitable staffing for enrolled students with complex additional needs and they could not attend because of insufficient equipment to support their physical needs.
The ERO report also noted the Teaching Council was investigating an allegation of staff misconduct and the school had been instructed to formally monitor the staff member.
The report said about 40% of the 224 school-aged children at the Gloriavale community attended the school, while about half were home-schooled and the remainder were enrolled with Te Kura (formerly the Correspondence School).
"The school board and staff have worked extensively with board-contracted external support and Ministry of Education advice and guidance to develop capacity to provide high quality learning and teaching," the report said.
Suitable policy and procedures were in place, including a child protection policy, but aspects required improvement, it said.
"ERO is not yet assured that all learners physical and emotional health and safety is closely, regularly, and sufficiently considered and monitored across all schooling provision."
In 2023, the ERO recommended that community leaders urgently develop a long-term strategic plan for educational provision across the community and consider external leadership or support.
In its July report the ERO said a plan for all children up to the age of 16 was not yet in place, although the school board and staff had worked extensively with external consultants and the Ministry of Education.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
17 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Couple set to lose $1.7m in property after cannabis bust
By Tara Shaskey and Ric Stevens, Open Justice journalists A couple have lost their battle to prevent the Crown from taking their two properties worth $1.7 million after a commercial-scale cannabis bust. Police raided one of Michael John Heron's North Canterbury properties in September 2020, shutting down a 'commercial-scale' hydroponic cannabis-growing operation and seizing more than $153,000 in cash. Heron pleaded guilty in the District Court to cultivating cannabis, possessing cannabis for supply, and manufacturing cannabis oil. He was sentenced to 12 months of home detention. Police then moved to confiscate their property at Fernside in the Waimakariri district, as well as another at Waikuku, which Heron and his partner, Hayley Lewis, own as an investment, and the cash. Together, the two properties have council ratings valuations totalling $1.7m. It was argued both pieces of real estate were 'tainted' by Heron's illegal activities, which a forensic accountant estimated had netted him $1.28m between 2013 and 2020, and the cash was derived in the same way. Heron acknowledged that the $153,000 was derived from illegal activity but denied that any of his real estate was 'tainted' in terms of the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act. Last year, the High Court made an order under the act to transfer the properties and the cash to the Crown. The couple took their case to the Court of Appeal, which dismissed their challenge. However, the court order allowed Lewis to keep $147,000, which Lewis, who has no criminal charges and no criminal history, had contributed to the mortgage and upkeep of the properties from her legitimate full-time employment. The sum was to be paid to her after the properties had been sold. Heron and Lewis have since taken their case to the Court of Appeal, attempting to have the High Court's decision overturned. The couple's challenge The Court of Appeal yesterday released its judgment which detailed Heron argued it was only necessary for the judge to make orders that deprived him of assets to the value of the cash profit he had made illegally from the cannabis operation, which amounted to about $380,000. He submitted that the sale of the Waikuku property alone would recover more than that amount, making forfeiture of the Fernside property unnecessary. It was also argued that forfeiting the Fernside property would cause undue hardship, as Heron had established a new business on that property. Lewis argued that the relief granted to her was inadequate and that the judge failed to fully consider her contributions to the Waikuku property from 2016 to 2020. It was also submitted that Lewis should retain the increase in the capital value of the Fernside property between the date of Heron's arrest and the hearing in the High Court. 'The undue hardship that the forfeiture of both properties will cause for her can only be mitigated by recognising the legitimate financial and non-financial contributions that she made both to her family and to the two properties,' her counsel argued. But the Court of Appeal ruled the judge was correct not to grant Heron relief against forfeiture concerning the Fernside property. The decision stated the Fernside property was bought using a deposit from Heron's tainted investment account, the house was then used as a residence for the family, and the garage was converted into a 'sophisticated cannabis growing facility' using cash derived from criminal activity. 'The garage was then used exclusively to conduct a sophisticated cannabis growing operation that derived further cash profits.' The Court of Appeal also ruled it would not be appropriate to increase the relief Lewis has already received. 'On any view of the evidence, she had some appreciation of what was occurring at both properties. She also plainly knew of the significant quantities of cash her husband's activities were generating over a period spanning several years. She was also prepared to share in the benefits those activities produced.' The senior court dismissed the couple's appeals and did not make an order for costs as their appeal was legally aided. Raid found 331 cannabis plants Heron was convicted on the cannabis charges in 2021 and then turned his skills to start a legitimate business, building up a 'micro-greens' growing facility providing edible vegetable sprouts using similar methods to his former cannabis operation. When he was raided in 2020, officers found 331 cannabis plants in four different stages of cultivation in four grow rooms or tents. The bust came about a month before the 2020 nationwide referendum on whether to legalise recreational cannabis. The referendum was narrowly defeated and a draft Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill did not proceed. When he was first arrested, Heron claimed he had only undertaken one successful grow to supply cannabis oil 'for medicinal purposes' in anticipation of a legislative change to permit this. On the day of the search, Lewis told police that she 'knew something was going on, but not the extent', court documents say. Police said, however, that Heron had been using four times the daily average electricity use for years to power his grow rooms. Since June 2016, he had consumed more than 100kWh (units) per day. Over four months in the spring and summer of 2015, his power bill came to $3483. Police said Heron had fitted out a five-bay garage next to his house to accommodate the commercial-scale hydroponic cannabis-growing operation. Equipment found included heat pumps and air conditioners, water and nutrient supply systems and a carbon dioxide pump. 'Cash and electronic funds derived from Mr Heron's criminal activity were regularly paid into the couple's joint bank account, and used to pay the mortgages,' according to the High Court order. In the walk-in wardrobe of the couple's bedroom, police found $153,860 – in total, 3238 banknotes neatly bundled up into $10,000 packages – in two lock boxes on a shelf.
Otago Daily Times
17 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Canterbury couple set to lose $1.7m in property after cannabis bust
By Tara Shaskey and Ric Stevens, Open Justice journalists A couple have lost their battle to prevent the Crown from taking their two properties worth $1.7 million after a commercial-scale cannabis bust. Police raided one of Michael John Heron's North Canterbury properties in September 2020, shutting down a 'commercial-scale' hydroponic cannabis-growing operation and seizing more than $153,000 in cash. Heron pleaded guilty in the District Court to cultivating cannabis, possessing cannabis for supply, and manufacturing cannabis oil. He was sentenced to 12 months of home detention. Police then moved to confiscate their property at Fernside in the Waimakariri district, as well as another at Waikuku, which Heron and his partner, Hayley Lewis, own as an investment, and the cash. Together, the two properties have council ratings valuations totalling $1.7m. It was argued both pieces of real estate were 'tainted' by Heron's illegal activities, which a forensic accountant estimated had netted him $1.28m between 2013 and 2020, and the cash was derived in the same way. Heron acknowledged that the $153,000 was derived from illegal activity but denied that any of his real estate was 'tainted' in terms of the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act. Last year, the High Court made an order under the act to transfer the properties and the cash to the Crown. The couple took their case to the Court of Appeal, which dismissed their challenge. However, the court order allowed Lewis to keep $147,000, which Lewis, who has no criminal charges and no criminal history, had contributed to the mortgage and upkeep of the properties from her legitimate full-time employment. The sum was to be paid to her after the properties had been sold. Heron and Lewis have since taken their case to the Court of Appeal, attempting to have the High Court's decision overturned. The couple's challenge The Court of Appeal yesterday released its judgment which detailed Heron argued it was only necessary for the judge to make orders that deprived him of assets to the value of the cash profit he had made illegally from the cannabis operation, which amounted to about $380,000. He submitted that the sale of the Waikuku property alone would recover more than that amount, making forfeiture of the Fernside property unnecessary. It was also argued that forfeiting the Fernside property would cause undue hardship, as Heron had established a new business on that property. Lewis argued that the relief granted to her was inadequate and that the judge failed to fully consider her contributions to the Waikuku property from 2016 to 2020. It was also submitted that Lewis should retain the increase in the capital value of the Fernside property between the date of Heron's arrest and the hearing in the High Court. 'The undue hardship that the forfeiture of both properties will cause for her can only be mitigated by recognising the legitimate financial and non-financial contributions that she made both to her family and to the two properties,' her counsel argued. But the Court of Appeal ruled the judge was correct not to grant Heron relief against forfeiture concerning the Fernside property. The decision stated the Fernside property was bought using a deposit from Heron's tainted investment account, the house was then used as a residence for the family, and the garage was converted into a 'sophisticated cannabis growing facility' using cash derived from criminal activity. 'The garage was then used exclusively to conduct a sophisticated cannabis growing operation that derived further cash profits.' The Court of Appeal also ruled it would not be appropriate to increase the relief Lewis has already received. 'On any view of the evidence, she had some appreciation of what was occurring at both properties. She also plainly knew of the significant quantities of cash her husband's activities were generating over a period spanning several years. She was also prepared to share in the benefits those activities produced.' The senior court dismissed the couple's appeals and did not make an order for costs as their appeal was legally aided. Raid found 331 cannabis plants Heron was convicted on the cannabis charges in 2021 and then turned his skills to start a legitimate business, building up a 'micro-greens' growing facility providing edible vegetable sprouts using similar methods to his former cannabis operation. When he was raided in 2020, officers found 331 cannabis plants in four different stages of cultivation in four grow rooms or tents. The bust came about a month before the 2020 nationwide referendum on whether to legalise recreational cannabis. The referendum was narrowly defeated and a draft Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill did not proceed. When he was first arrested, Heron claimed he had only undertaken one successful grow to supply cannabis oil 'for medicinal purposes' in anticipation of a legislative change to permit this. On the day of the search, Lewis told police that she 'knew something was going on, but not the extent', court documents say. Police said, however, that Heron had been using four times the daily average electricity use for years to power his grow rooms. Since June 2016, he had consumed more than 100kWh (units) per day. Over four months in the spring and summer of 2015, his power bill came to $3483. Police said Heron had fitted out a five-bay garage next to his house to accommodate the commercial-scale hydroponic cannabis-growing operation. Equipment found included heat pumps and air conditioners, water and nutrient supply systems and a carbon dioxide pump. 'Cash and electronic funds derived from Mr Heron's criminal activity were regularly paid into the couple's joint bank account, and used to pay the mortgages,' according to the High Court order. In the walk-in wardrobe of the couple's bedroom, police found $153,860 – in total, 3238 banknotes neatly bundled up into $10,000 packages – in two lock boxes on a shelf.
Otago Daily Times
20 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
'Perfect' property funded by drug money, police say
A Central Otago beauty-clinic owner has had her $1.4 million home frozen after allegedly benefiting from her dead partner's drug crimes. The High Court has restrained the Tarras property and a vehicle of Wendy Maree Davison under criminal-proceeds legislation after police claimed Clinton Lee Forman made cash deposits of $156,784 to her bank account between 2017 and 2024, allegedly the result of significant cannabis offending. Davison is listed in company records as the sole director and shareholder of Wanaka's Revive Beauty Therapy Ltd. Company documents listed her as living at the three-bedroom Tarras address on 8ha of land, bought in 2022 for $1.4m, which is now under the control of the Official Assignee. A real-estate listing billed the home as 'the perfect place to unwind with the amazing Central Otago mountain ranges and blue skies that provide ever-changing picturesque scenes". An online advertisement raved about the open-plan kitchen complete with granite benches and polished concrete floors, the double garage, four-bay shed, sleepout and 'a stunning mini-orchard with a variety of fruit". Davison told the Otago Daily Times she would only discuss the matter once the court case had been resolved. On April 18, 2023, police executed a search warrant at Davison's address where they found two mature cannabis plants and 'a quantity of white crystals", Detective Constable Kelsey Morgan wrote in an affidavit. The same day, officers also raided two other homes associated with the couple and found significant quantities of the class-C drug. There was also cannabis in Forman's vehicle, the court heard. While he acknowledged 'some involvement in selling cannabis" when interviewed by police, Davison denied any knowledge of a large-scale drug operation. Forman was ultimately prosecuted but the proceedings against him were stayed in July last year following his death three months earlier. Police's review of the couple's financial transactions showed $313,359 of cash deposits into their respective accounts — split almost exactly in half. Of the $156,784 banked into Davison's personal and business accounts, Det Const Kelsey Morgan said some had 'the characteristics of money laundering". She gave the example of six deposits made over 15 minutes on March 23, 2020, totaling $8000. There was evidence of cash transfers from Forman to Davison to make mortgage payments, police argued. She consented to the restraining order but whether the assets would be forfeited to the Crown would be argued later. Justice Rob Osborne said there were reasonable grounds to believe Forman and Davison benefitted from significant criminal activity and that the assets could be classified as "tainted property". Under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act a person has unlawfully benefited from significant criminal activity if they have knowingly, directly or indirectly, derived a benefit from that activity, whether or not they were involved. , Court reporter
