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By Jane Nixon, Franklin Times The Ministry of Education has confirmed the Wesley College Trust Board must provide documentation to the Licensing Authority by November 30 to demonstrate it has made the necessary changes to regain its hostel licence. The ministry says the required evidence must show improvements to student safety, supervision, and governance, following serious concerns about the hostel environment at the Paerata school which led to the licence being suspended last week. In response to questions from the Times, the ministry said the suspension was made independently of the trust board’s previously announced plan to close the hostels at the end of term 4. “The ministry has taken into account the needs of boarders at the hostel and enabled international students and those with NCEA requirements to remain at the hostel in the interim with additional safety supports in place,” says Sean Teddy, leader of operations and integration at the Education Ministry. While the ministry declined to provide details about the nature or number of bullying incidents, it said the decision was based on “serious concerns about student safety and the culture within the hostel environment”. A follow-up statement confirmed the ministry is aware the trust board has lodged an appeal in the Auckland District Court, challenging the immediate removal of years 9-10 students. Wesley College Trust Board challenges suspension On November 5, the Wesley College Trust Board lodged an appeal with the Auckland District Court challenging the ministry’s suspension notice, which requires the closure of some hostels by today, November 7. On the afternoon of October 31, the ministry issued the suspension notice directing that boarders with NCEA commitments may remain in the hostels until their 2025 assessments are complete, international students may stay until the end of term, and all other boarders must leave by November 7. “The timing and nature of the directive have placed significant pressure on students, families, and staff,” a board spokesperson said. The board believes the ministry’s approach has been unnecessarily disruptive, particularly for years 9-10 students in the final weeks of the school year who are engaged in exams, learning projects, and end-of-year commitments. “The trust board and school leadership say they take student safety seriously and believe they have met all requirements. “In addition, over the past year, the board has added substantial extra resources to hostel operations to address any concerns raised, including: one staff member for every 15 students overnight, one staff member for every 10 students during the day, and a minimum of two staff on duty in each dormitory at all times.” The legal action relates solely to the abrupt closure directive affecting years 9-10 students. “As the school community was advised earlier this term, we planned to close the hostels at the end of term 4 in an orderly and well-supported way,” said the board spokesperson. “The board remains focused on ensuring the safety, stability, and continuity of care for all Wesley College students boarding in the hostels.”
