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Otago Daily Times
09-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Gloriavale school fails second audit
By Jean Edwards of RNZ 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.
1News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- 1News
Co-ed principals fight 'unethical' boys school-only rugby competition
A group of South Island principals is rallying against what it claims are "discriminatory and unlawful" plans for a breakaway first XV rugby competition played exclusively among boys' schools. A collective of South Island boys' schools last month confirmed talks were underway to launch a new first XV competition as part of wider collaborative efforts to improve educational outcomes for young men. The new competition would include up to eight boys' schools across Canterbury and Tasman, and five schools in Otago and Southland. The move has been met with widespread concern from leaders of co-educational schools in those regions, who fear the "devastating" impact on their school communities if top-flight rugby were restricted to a select group of schools. A highly organised resistance began in earnest on Wednesday, when a letter signed by principals of more than 40 schools was sent to the South Island provincial rugby unions and NZ Rugby urging the sport's leaders to act. RNZ understands a separate, individual complaint has also been laid with the Sport Integrity Commission. The letter to the rugby bodies called on officials to step in and "help intervene in what would become a highly destructive competition" for both the sport, the wider education system and young people. "Excluding boys in co-educational schools from top-level rugby against boys-only schools would undermine the inclusivity, competitiveness, and health of school rugby, harming the sport's future and the well-being of its players," the letter states. The letter also raised concerns that the proposal "is driven by the desire to attract the best athletes to the boys' schools for their own success", creating an "arms race where schools aggressively recruit top players". The morning's headlines in 90 seconds including what will happen to food after supermarket blaze, Trump's dithering over the Middle East, and winter car care tips. (Source: 1News) One of the signatories to the letter, Darfield High School principal Andy England, said he believed the proposal was "unjustified and discriminatory". "I think this move, if it was to happen, would be deeply unethical, potentially in breach of human rights, and the education and training act. Which are strong words to say, and I get that. But I'm saying them," England told RNZ. Asked if the schools would consider laying a complaint with the Human Rights Commission or the Ministry of Education, England responded: "Yes." "At the end of the day, it just seems deeply unfair that boys who go to school with girls are excluded from playing the sport at the level that suits them. How can that be right under the Human Rights Act or under the Education and Training Act?" The Education and Training Act 2020 requires schools to ensure a safe and inclusive environment and to eliminate discrimination, which extends to sports participation. England said his main frustration was that there had been "very limited communication from the boys' schools" about why they wanted to form a breakaway competition and how it would work. Rugby officials needed to show leadership and get all the schools around the table "in a reasonably assertive way", so they can work on a solution together. "I think we're all looking for some guidance from [the] rugby union. My speciality isn't rugby at all, but I can't see how this could be good for rugby. It's inevitable that some rugby talent will be lost through this if this goes ahead," he said. "It also puts rugby development at the top level into the hands of the boys schools only, and how can that be healthy?" The letter claims the collective of boys' schools plan to launch the new competition for 2026 on August 1. However, two principals involved told RNZ there are no firm plans or commitments in place. Steve Hart, principal of St Thomas of Canterbury College, said he was aware of opposition to the proposed new competition, but he did not think it was appropriate to address those criticisms through the media. "Until there is something concrete to discuss, I don't know how healthy the back and forward actually is," he said. "Probably for me I think there's been an over-focus on rugby here, that's actually a tiny bit of what we're trying to do. It probably sums up New Zealand a wee bit in that we focus too much on rugby and people are missing the point on what the actual vision here is." Hart referred RNZ to the statement provided to media at the time the plans for the breakaway competition were first raised, which noted the collective's aims of "exploring initiatives that include the arts, culture, sport and professional learning - designed to foster connection, belonging and pride among our young men". Canterbury Rugby chief executive Tony Smail said his organisation shared some of the concerns of the co-ed schools about the proposed competition. "The unintended and intended consequences of a standalone competition among boys' schools needs to be talked about. There is genuine concern that pathways are being closed for other rugby playing participants out there," he said. "You'll have player movement out of the schools that aren't in the competition into the schools that are, and the flow on effect of that is huge. If you have one or two strong players from one school decide to leave, the risk is that their peers that are left at that school will give up, because they were staying in the game to play with their mates." While the union sits on the governance group of the current first XV competition, which involves schools in the Crusaders' catchment area, it is not in charge of running schoolboy rugby. However, Smail acknowledged Canterbury Rugby has a duty to work through the issues with all schools. He said he hopes to get the principals together in the coming weeks. "We'd obviously love to find a way to break through and understand what those problem areas are that require the boys' schools to head off and see if there's another alternative that we can explore together," said Smail. "What we've had among the schools are some pretty brave conversations at times, and I think this is another example where we have to get together, hear out all sides and see if there's another way through." NZ Rugby's general manager of community rugby Steve Lancaster said while the national body does not control the governance or delivery of the secondary school competitions, it does have an interest in the potential implications the proposed breakaway competition may have on "participation, equity and the schools that are excluded". "We know many stakeholders look to NZR for resolution of such issues; however, we do not have authority over school competitions that are organised outside of Provincial Union administration. That said, we remain committed to advocating for inclusive, competitive, and accessible rugby pathways for all young people, regardless of the type of school they attend." A spokesperson for the Sport Integrity Commission said the organisation could not confirm the existence or otherwise of any complaints before the organisation.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Academic Freedom Legislation Important Step To Save Universities From Themselves
Research by the Free Speech Union and others clearly shows that academic freedom is in jeopardy in New Zealand, despite being enshrined in the Education and Training Act. Universities are not currently doing the job theyre legally obliged and publicly … The Inter-University Council on Academic Freedom (IUCAF), a subcommittee of the Free Speech Union, submitted today in support of the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) 2025. The submission commends key strengths and provides several recommendations to ensure academic freedom is protected in New Zealand universities, says Professor Paul Moon, Co-Chairperson of IUCAF. 'Academic freedom is essential for universities to uphold if academics and students are to speak freely. We welcome the Education and Training Amendment Bill, which the Free Speech Union contributed to extensively, to protect and enable academics and students to speak without fear of retribution. 'Research by the Free Speech Union and others clearly shows that academic freedom is in jeopardy in New Zealand, despite being enshrined in the Education and Training Act. Universities are not currently doing the job they're legally obliged and publicly funded to do. 'We welcome the introduction of duties on universities to protect and promote academic freedom. We commend that the Bill would prevent universities from denying speakers based on controversial or unpopular opinions, and the introduction of annual reporting requirements. 'To ensure the Bill has the full effect of enhancing academic freedom in New Zealand, we have several recommendations. We've proposed that free speech policies avoid language that could actually limit speech, that a clear definition of 'institutional neutrality' is provided to avoid misunderstanding, and that annual reports be made publicly available. 'A culture of fear on our campuses has prevailed for too long. This is the reinforcement universities need to once again return to fostering open dialogue and debate.'
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Academic Freedom Legislation Important Step To Save Universities From Themselves
The Inter-University Council on Academic Freedom (IUCAF), a subcommittee of the Free Speech Union, submitted today in support of the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) 2025. The submission commends key strengths and provides several recommendations to ensure academic freedom is protected in New Zealand universities, says Professor Paul Moon, Co-Chairperson of IUCAF. 'Academic freedom is essential for universities to uphold if academics and students are to speak freely. We welcome the Education and Training Amendment Bill, which the Free Speech Union contributed to extensively, to protect and enable academics and students to speak without fear of retribution. 'Research by the Free Speech Union and others clearly shows that academic freedom is in jeopardy in New Zealand, despite being enshrined in the Education and Training Act. Universities are not currently doing the job they're legally obliged and publicly funded to do. 'We welcome the introduction of duties on universities to protect and promote academic freedom. We commend that the Bill would prevent universities from denying speakers based on controversial or unpopular opinions, and the introduction of annual reporting requirements. 'To ensure the Bill has the full effect of enhancing academic freedom in New Zealand, we have several recommendations. We've proposed that free speech policies avoid language that could actually limit speech, that a clear definition of 'institutional neutrality' is provided to avoid misunderstanding, and that annual reports be made publicly available. 'A culture of fear on our campuses has prevailed for too long. This is the reinforcement universities need to once again return to fostering open dialogue and debate.'
