Theft charge for teacher

A teacher at one of Auckland's top schools has been accused of stealing more than $40,000 from its rowing club.

Former Takapuna Grammar School teacher Nova Camp, 54, will appear in the North Shore District Court this month to face three representative charges of obtaining pecuniary advantage by dishonestly using cheques from Takapuna Grammar School Rowing Club.

Camp - believed to be a special education teacher - was also the teacher in charge of rowing and the club's treasurer.

Court documents revealed Camp allegedly stole $40,398 by dishonestly using 58 cheques over a period of 12 months. The alleged offending began in May last year, and the majority of cheques were made out to cash.

A board of trustees meeting in May praised Camp for her work with the Rowing Club.

"The board agree that a vote of thanks should be sent to Nova Camp for her work with the club as the teacher in charge and for taking on the role of treasurer."

Takapuna Grammar School principal Simon Lamb confirmed Camp no longer worked at the school. He would not comment on whether she was dismissed or if she resigned.

"The Takapuna Grammar School Rowing Club operates as a separate entity to Takapuna Grammar School," Lamb said. "However, the school supports the club's efforts to recoup the loss without penalty to the current membership of students and their parents."

When the Herald on Sunday visited Camp at her Hillcrest home yesterday, her husband answered the door. He said Camp was also a lawyer and to "watch your back".

Camp then came to the door but would say only that her lawyer would make contact on her behalf. The Herald on Sunday did not hear from her lawyer.

New Zealand Teachers Council conduct manager Andrew Greig confirmed the complaints assessment committee was investigating allegations of misconduct.

He said teachers were required to report to the Teachers Council if convicted of charges which carried a possible sentence of three months' imprisonment or more, regardless of the actual sentence imposed.