Commissioner takes the reins of Riverslea School in Hastings

Ongoing concerns for students' physical and emotional safety has culminated in the appointment of a commissioner at Riverslea School.

Commissioner Kathryn Lynskey was appointed in November, following her role as limited statutory manager (LSM) from July last year on request of the Ministry of Education.

Minister of Education Chris Hipkins issued a notice of dissolution of the Riverslea School board of trustees and direction to appoint a commissioner; and revocation of the notice of direction to appoint a limited statutory manager at the end of November.

The year 1-6 primary school has a decile rating of 1 and currently has 24 students on the role, having dropped from 53 in 2014.

The ministry's deputy secretary sector enablement and support, Katrina Casey, said the LSM identified a wide range of issues, requiring significant improvements across the school, which resulted in the escalation of the intervention to a commissioner.

"Her immediate focus was working with the NZ School Trustees Association (NZSTA) to appoint an emergency staffing principal to lead the school, and to stabilise staffing. As a result, the 2018 school year started with a full complement of experienced staff."

Ms Casey said although the majority of schools operate successfully, a small number develop difficulties or have unexpected events they cannot resolve without outside help.

Where the ministry does step in, she said, an intervention aims to bring expertise and fresh perspective and also acts as a circuit breaker for entrenched problems, so the focus of the school can go back on teaching and learning.

"All interventions are reviewed regularly. As part of this process, we consider what progress has been made so that positive change is embedded and sustainable and consult with the school's board."

Acting principal Alan Beeden was appointed at the beginning of the year and is expected to stay on until the end of this term.

He took over from ​Katrina Lee, who started as acting principal at the end of 2015 before being appointed principal from the beginning of 2016.

"It comes down to when the next principal is appointed or what the ministry chooses to decide for the future. I may be here for two, I may not. It is hard to say," Mr Beeden said.

"Part of my job is to come in and keep the focus on the kids' learning until the powers that be decide what the next step is."

He said he chooses not to know all the details of the past because it does not reflect on anything the school is doing at the moment.

Ms Lynskey said Riverslea School has had a number of challenges over several years and many factors led to the current intervention.

"The students attending Riverslea School are the priority," she said. "They are well catered for in the classroom and playground, and have opportunities to learn about themselves and the world they live in, as at any other school."

She added that any decision to close a school lies with the Minister of Education and would occur after consultation with the community.

"School closure is a lengthy process, normally at least six months. There has been no consultation with the community."

This follows a second arson within two weeks at the school on Sunday.

A group of three or four youths allegedly entered the school grounds about 11am. They broke into an office, stealing property and damaging a worm farm before setting fire to several areas including heaped-up vegetation placed against a classroom.

Moderate damage was caused.

The incident follows an arson at the school on February 6 in which two small fires were lit, damaging the office block.