Abbey Caves death: WorkSafe lifts Whangārei Boys’ High School improvement notices

WorkSafe has lifted two enforcement notices issued to Whangārei Boys' High School. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Whangārei Boys’ High School can resume high-risk class trips after safety improvements were made following the death of Year 11 student Karnin Petera.

Principal Karen Gilbert-Smith says the school will be acting with an “abundance of caution” when it comes to future outings in high-risk environments.

The changes were in response to enforcement notices issued by WorkSafe after Petera, 15, died while on an outdoor education class trip at Abbey Caves on May 9.

The caving trip took place when a heavy rain warning was is place and Petera was swept away in floodwater.

Ten days later the school, which had already voluntarily paused education outside the classroom (EOTC) activities, was issued both a prohibition notice and an improvement notice by WorkSafe.

The prohibition notice formally banned the school from undertaking high-risk activities outside of the classroom until proven they can be safely managed. Whereas, the improvement notice required the school to review its EOTC systems by June 14. Whangārei Boys’ High School (WBHS) later asked for more time and was given until July 10.

WorkSafe announced on Tuesday both enforcement notices had been lifted.

WorkSafe’s head of specialist interventions Dr Catherine Gardner said the school had undertaken a review of its outdoor education system and with expert input from Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ) had complied with the improvement notice.

Gilbert-Smith said EONZ undertook a “rigorous review” and with their support, a new EOTC Safety Management Plan was formulated. It will be used to plan and critically assess all future events.

EONZ has also provided training for all staff this week with a further session for senior leaders, she added.

“We will be acting with an abundance of caution with each event being subject to the new safety management planning process for assessment and mitigation, before being submitted for approval.”

Gardner said the lifting of the notices had no impact on the outcome of WorkSafe’s investigation into Petera’s death at Abbey Caves, which could take up to a year to complete.

The school was co-operating with the wider investigation, she said.

Police were supporting WorkSafe with its investigation as well as continuing a separate investigation on behalf of the Coroner, a police spokesperson confirmed.

Gardner said good health and safety management started with identifying and understanding what a school’s risks were.

“We encourage school boards of trustees across the country to reflect on this tragedy, and ensure they have confidence in their own systems and processes.”