Report reveals continuing problems at Fairfield

Pills. Photo / Supplied

A ministerial report on one of Waikato's largest schools has revealed party-pill use, falling teacher numbers caused by a drop in the school's roll, and significant overspending.

Former Education Minister Anne Tolley called for a report into Fairfield College last year after an incident in which where six girls were admitted to Waikato Hospital's emergency department after taking party pills containing BZP while at school

According to the report, dated December 1 and released to the Herald under the Official Information Act, a second pill-related incident happened at the school eight days later.

On November 29 a boy took white pills, which he claimed were party pills, to school.

Police were called and the pills were given to the principal before anyone took them.

An independent drug counselling organisation was called on to support the school.

The report highlighted other "reported incidents" at the school, but details were blanked out in the copy given to the Herald because of privacy reasons and to "protect the neutrality of officials".

Before the appointment of former Forest View High School principal Richard Crawford to the school at the start of this year, the school was overseen by ministry-appointed officials for about three years.

In mid-2011, limited statutory manager Hineihaea Murphy took over from commissioner Dennis Finn who ran the school for 2 years after staff passed a vote of no confidence in then-principal Julie Small and the board of trustees. Mr Finn withdrew in July and a new board was appointed.

Fairfield College received a poor Education Review Office report in August, which raised concerns about student learning, engagement and achievement.

The school had also faced public criticism over its performance and viability.

Meanwhile, the school's roll has continued to fall, prompting a staff review in September last year.

Six full-time equivalent teachers and seven management units were removed. The school also faced large financial problems last year caused by significant overspending.

The ministerial report concluded no further intervention was needed and instead pointed to Mr Crawford's appointment as the catalyst for turning the school around and improving educational outcomes for students.

Labour education spokeswoman and Waikato-based MP Nanaia Mahuta said it was worrying the latest issues had arisen since the Ministry of Education intervened three years ago.

"The ministry has had its hands all over Fairfield College and cannot walk away from some of the systemic issues within the school that led to the minister intervening."

The new Minister of Education, Hekia Parata, was in Tonga yesterday and unavailable for comment.