There had also been incidents of aggressive behaviour towards staff, although he could not say if any of those incidents had been referred to the police.
The kura has been closed since the principal's contract expired at the end of the second term and she chose not to renew it. Nor did the other two teaching staff return for the third term.
The latest ERO report, which was released when the school became unoperational following a review on June 1, noted "significant changes in leadership, kaiako, and a breakdown in whānau, board and staff relations."
It recognised a school-wide focus on promoting positive behaviour, but despite the efforts of staff, kaiako and the board of trustees to create a nurturing learning environment the breakdown between whānau and staff remained a concern, and students' progress and achievement was compromised.
"Students are affected by the tension and poor relationships in the whānau," the report added.
The kura has had five principals, two of them in an acting capacity, since 2005, the ERO report saying changes in professional leadership since 2015 had impacted on the implementation of systems, strategic direction and school developments.
"[These issues have] been on-going, but as the ERO has indicated, now that it is impacting on student learning it has necessitated immediate change," Mr McFadyen said.
The last ERO report had recorded a roll of 52 pupils. Mr McFadyen said he and the ministry were working on enrolling them at other schools.
"We are continuing to discuss the enrolment of tamariki with some whānau to ensure that their children are enrolled at a school," he added.
Some pupils had enrolled at Taipa Area School, Kaingaroa, Te Rangi Aniwaniwa and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Pukemiro.
