Playground tactic eases tensions at Hamilton school

By CATHY ARONSON

Minutes after Insoll Avenue School bell rang yesterday, the 10-year-olds in room six sat down on the mat and asked why the school had been closed for three days.

Their teacher, Maureen Collins, explained that staff at the Hamilton school had not been happy that protests disrupted classes and the protesters were not happy with the bilingual unit.

"So the adults got together on Monday and did what you know all about. When you mediate you ... "

"Hear both sides of the story," the class answered in unison.

Then another child asked: "Were the problems sorted out?"

Mrs Collins explained there were still problems, but Tainui kaumatua Hare Puke would continue to mediate.

"It's just like when we mediate in the playground. It won't solve the problem if you play on different sides of the playground, because at some stage you will have to play together again."

The open discussion was repeated throughout the school yesterday in an attempt to clear the air and get back to normal.

Principal Ian Leckie, speaking publicly for the first time since he closed the school on Thursday, said he had no choice.

"I will always regret having to do anything that takes away education from these children. It was the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my 10 years as principal of this school."

The protests by 15 parents outside the school for three weeks forced classrooms to barricade their windows or move. Staff were verbally abused and followed to their cars.

But parent spokeswoman Miriama Hohua said they did not regret the protests, centred around 10 formal complaints to the Ministry of Education.

The Weekend Herald revealed that Mrs Hohua complained after her daughter had been moved into a bilingual unit without notice. Three years later, her daughter was assessed for the first time and was put back to level 1, despite assurances she was achieving.

In a letter to the ministry summarising the complaints, obtained by the Herald, the school admits its faults regarding Mrs Hohua.

It says the bilingual unit's entry policy had been streamlined and it had reviewed its assessment policy.

"New staff are now upskilled in the assessment of te reo and now there is also some uniformity in reo assessment."

Another complaint, that Mr Leckie physically restrained a child, cost $5000 for an independent investigation that cleared the principal.

Mr Leckie said any justified concerns had been addressed and the protests were unnecessary and against the school mediation policy.

"If you ask any one of our kids what mediation is, they will be able to answer straight away. We have to lead by example."

The parents did not return to picket yesterday but would not guarantee an end to their protests.

* Tension between Huntly College's principal and teachers has prompted the Ministry of Education to appoint a mediator.

An October education review office report requested urgent mediation after the animosity had created an emotionally unsafe environment, threatened professional judgment and the quality of student education.

The report said it had become impossible for the new principal, Ric Drake, to manage the school. He faced historical problems and his change in direction had created new ones.

It said the principal's directions had been "openly defied by a number of key staff".

The report said some long-serving teachers had overestimated their rights in school management decisions.

Mr Drake said he had tried to change too much in his first year at the school, which had a decile 1 rating and a high non-attendance rate. Maori account for 49 per cent of the 409 students.

He wanted to make the curriculum more relevant, improve teacher planning and discipline measures and increase extracurricular staff involvement with the students.

"I came to this school because I see huge potential. I was aware of the pitfalls but wanted to confront them head-on, which ... upset the staff. I might have to slow down and make changes in three years instead of one."

The ERO report said Mr Drake could lead the school and improve the quality of education and the board of trustees supported his direction.

PPTA Waikato officer Bill Harris said the teachers had not been part of the changes and were forced to adapt too quickly.

Mr Harris said suggestions in the report that younger and newer teachers were subjected to unprofessional conduct by the long-serving staff were incorrect.

The PPTA was working through the problems with the board.

Ministry regional manager John Tait said it appointed a facilitator and financial adviser to help the school out of a deficit.

The ministry had also developed a mentoring programme to help the Maori students identified as at risk by the ERO.

The office will reassess the school in six months.