KEY POINTS:
The father of an epileptic teen attacked by a Rotorua teacher says he is mortified the man is still teaching.
John Greene wants Robert Warner, a teacher at Rotorua Boys' High School, suspended while an investigation into the assault on his son is carried out by the New Zealand Teachers' Council.
However, the school says it's following a formal process, having already held a disciplinary hearing.
Mr Warner was given police diversion after he admitted assaulting Rory Greene, a 16-year-old year 12 student, last October. Diversion allows offenders who admit guilt to complete a task and avoid conviction.
Mr Warner had admitted punching and slapping the boy after the student went to his home and threatened to defecate on his lawn. The boy was taken to Rotorua Hospital with bruising and suspected concussion.
He had gone to Mr Warner's home after the pair had words over an attendance slip.
Mr Warner completed an anger management course and was not convicted. He also apologised to the boy in writing.
The Daily Post understands Mr Warner was demoted from his position as year 12 dean.
Yesterday, Mr Warner said he needed to speak to his principal before commenting publicly on the issue. The school's principal, Chris Grinter, also declined to comment because the matter was being dealt with by the Teachers' Council.
However, the boy's father, John Greene, said the school had not done enough. His son is now studying NCEA Level 2 and 3. Fearing for his safety, Mr Greene pulled him out of school, which has upset Rory.
The assault followed several discussions between Rory and Mr Warner over what Rory admitted was his "sporadic" attendance and disruptive attitude in class.
Mr Greene said he had met with Mr Warner before the assault incident, to explain that his son's behaviour might be unusual due to medication he was taking for his epilepsy. He had asked Mr Warner to be firm with his son.
However, Mr Greene said, given the violent nature of the assault, Mr Warner should have been suspended while the complaint was investigated.
Mr Greene said he had complained to police, the school - which has reviewed its handling of the case - and the New Zealand Teachers' Council. Police had advised they had handled the investigation appropriately.
Similarly, a sub-committee of the board of trustees had investigated the school's handling of the case and deemed it had been dealt with properly. However, the board has refused to supply Mr Greene with a report into their investigation, citing the Privacy Act. Mr Greene has applied to the Privacy Commissioner and the Office of the Ombudsmen for the information to be released.
In August, the school issued Mr Greene with a trespass notice, claiming his behaviour towards Mr Warner had been intimidating one morning when he had driven his son at school.
- Daily Post
