Whangarei Boys High School apparently in breach of their inadequate policies:

The death of a student while on an outdoor education trip under the administration and duty of care of Whangarei Boys High School in May 2023 is indicative of the state of the nation, and an indictment of the system of governance that currently exists in this nation, and the standard of education providers.

The caves where the boy died, and several more boys very nearly died by all accounts, is on Whangarei District Council land.  There were clear warning signs referencing weather conditions, those very weather conditions had been forecast and the decision to enter the caves, considering the extreme weather conditions which were forecast well in advance.

Two months prior to this the school was visited by 'Worksafe'in regard to another "serious accident" at the school. 

Worksafe is the alias of the former Department of Labour - under their watch twenty nine men died in the Pike River mine not long ago, hence the reason for the name change, needed to rebrand to alter public perception.

"Accident" is an interesting word.  The "serious accident" was given less priority than the high truancy rates at the school, which indicate a lack of engagement with the community and an environment that is not attractive to students.

The Principal, Karen Gilbert-Smith, features in a radio interview voicing her views on student's footwear, and a perusal of the school policies shows a strict framework in regard to certain things but a void in the health and safety and outdoor education policies.

The Principal also voiced her views regarding the decile funding system, and possibly demonstrated a lack of comprehension of the issue.

Minutes of the March BoT meeting:

 

The school appears to be currently in breach of their policy regarding the Principal's performance management.

 

 

Karen Gilbert-Smith, Principal, Whangarei Boys High School, far left

 

                                                         Photo - Michael Cunningham, NZ Herald

Not hard to see why there's a truancy problem.  Boys don't want to go there, and it is becoming apparent why. 

Te Wakaminenga o nga Tino Rangatira will be attending the next Board meeting and taking a very active interest in the investigation into the school, the communication between school staff and Principal prior to the trip, and all information regarding risk assessment and planning for this trip.

There is widespread public outrage, fueled by the arrogant and insensitive statement issued by the Principal.