Family send bullied teen to South Africa

Michaela Blaauw. Photo / Supplied

An Auckland teenager has been sent to South Africa to finish her school year after claims that she was bullied so badly at Howick College that she was too scared to go to class.

Her father, De Wet Blaauw, who moved his family here about five years ago, said his daughter Michaela had had problems since starting Year 9 at the college this year. She had endured so much bullying in the past few months that she refused to go to school, and because she was not in zone for any other college, she was sent back to live with her grandparents in KwaZulu-Natal.

Howick College says it has "a genuine desire to resolve this matter" and there is still a place for Michaela there. College leaders will meet the family today.

Mr Blaauw said the bullying started when his strongwilled daughter was tripped by another girl who then demanded she apologise. "She said, 'Why should I apologise? You tripped me' and the girl slapped her.

"My daughter, coming from South Africa and not standing back, slapped her back and that just basically escalated the whole situation." Michaela told her parents about the incident but didn't want anything done for fear of being a "nark".

She did not tell her parents about an incident the following week, but about two or three months ago, his daughter stood up for another girl and "things went pear-shaped from there". She then told her parents.

"We were threatened that our house was going to be burned down, they are going to follow her home and burn her house down and make sure her brother gets killed and all sorts of ugly things," Mr Blaauw said.

He said he had had several dealings with the college and the board of trustees trying to resolve the issue.

Mr Blaauw claimed that the school "basically admitted that, apart from a teacher following her everywhere, there is not much they can do about keeping her safe".

A suggestion his daughter spend her time in the library wasn't realistic.

Mr Blaauw said the Education Ministry told him the college was responsible for Michaela's safety and if she refused to attend, her parents would be arrested by the truancy officer.

Calls to local MP Maurice Williamson, police and Education Minister Anne Tolley did not help so he sent his daughter to South Africa as a last option. "Something needs to be done. The way we feel is that there must be more kids out there that are going through this that can't speak up."

Howick principal Iva Ropati said he was surprised Mr Blaauw had gone to the media as the issue was being treated seriously and dealt with. The college would met him today.

Mr Williamson said he had twice invited Mr Blaauw to come and discuss the matter, but he had not done this.

Mrs Tolley said she had told Mr Blaauw it was important he engaged with the college board. He could also present his case to the Ombudsman.