St Cuthbert’s allegations: Ministry says all hostels must meet its minimum standards
St Cuthbert's College is investigating allegations of inappropriate conduct by a former member of its boarding staff. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
After allegations of inappropriate conduct by a former staff member at St Cuthbert’s College boarding house in Auckland, the Ministry of Education has said it oversees licensing of school hostels and can step in if standards around student safety and wellbeing aren’t met.
“While St Cuthbert’s is a private school, all school hostels must meet minimum standards,” Jason Swann, the ministry’s director of education for Auckland central and east, said in a statement to the Herald.
“The ministry is aware of the matter. The school is running an active investigation and will keep us updated, as appropriate. We have offered support and guidance.”
The statement comes after revelations yesterday that a former school staff member is being investigated for alleged inappropriate conduct involving boarders.
Teachers at the prestigious private school were informed of the allegations yesterday afternoon, and that the person under investigation was a former junior member of its boarding staff.
Parents and the wider school community were informed by email shortly afterwards.
St Cuthbert’s College Board chairwoman Leigh Melville yesterday told the Herald the investigation is focused on allegations of inappropriate conduct, “including concerns about conversations and interactions with students that may have crossed the boundaries expected between students and staff”.
“The safety and wellbeing of all our students is paramount, and we are treating this matter very seriously,” Melville told the Herald yesterday.
She said that as soon as the college became aware of the concerns, “immediate action” was taken and the staff member no longer worked for St Cuthbert’s.
“Additional pastoral support is being provided to students and the boarding team while this process is underway.
“As this matter involves students and an active investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further. The privacy and wellbeing of students remain the college’s priority.”
In New Zealand, all school hostels – whether they are attached to state, state-integrated or private schools – must be licensed and comply with minimum safety and welfare standards.
The Ministry of Education issues licences and is responsible for renewing them every three years.
The Education Review Office carries out periodic reviews to check students are accommodated in “a safe emotional and physical environment”.
St Cuthbert’s College is an elite private girls’ day and boarding school established in 1915 that consistently ranks among the top schools in New Zealand for academic results.
Families pay $31,544 annually for senior students to attend the school and an extra $21,608 for boarders.
Carolyne Meng-Yee is an Auckland-based award-winning investigative journalist. She worked for the Herald on Sunday from 2007-2011 and rejoined the Herald in 2016 after working as an award-winning current affairs producer at TVNZ’s 60 Minutes, 20/20 and Sunday.