H¯awera Intermediate principal resigns after tumultuous year
The limited statutory manager appointed to Ha¯ wera Intermediate School following three serious complaints has announced the principal’s resignation.
A newsletter dated October 16 quoted limited statutory manager Kevin Palmer as informing the school community that Wendy Sheridan-Smith had resigned for personal reasons.
She had been in the job less than a year.
‘‘The Board thanks Wendy for her service and contribution and we wish her well in her future endeavours,’’ the newsletter said.
‘‘He will keep us all updated when he has more information,’’ it said.
The school was put under statutory management, taking over certain functions and powers of the board of trustees, by the Ministry of Education following three formal complaints regarding health and safety, leadership and the curriculum.
The school had already meet with Ministry representatives a number of times earlier in the year in response to concerns raised by parents and the wider community.
Prior to this year, the ministry had not received any complaints about the school in the previous five years.
The appointment of the LSM in September 19 came on top of a challenging year for new principal Sheridan-Smith, who left Pukemiro School, near Huntly, in December after three years in her role.
In July, damning reports about Pukemiro School were released that revealed it had failed to meet its legal obligations in several areas.
Ha¯ wera Intermediate, which has a role of 300, has also been hit hard by staff resignations, with seven leaving since the start of the year.
Minutes from school meetings and reports from the principal, released under the Official Information Act and obtained by Stuff, showed the problems it has faced, including a suicide attempt at the school.
In a report dated March 18, Sheridan-Smith raised health and safety concerns about children cutting themselves.
A May 4 teaching exercise noted a number of issues, such as bullying and lack of attention in class.
The exercise also highlighted issues with gang mentality and culture, drugs, smoking and home/life problems such as violence and neglect.