WorkSafe Backs CBHS Investigation Release, As Legal Action Looms
WorkSafe has backed its decision to release the investigation report into embattled public school Christchurch Boys' High. The NZR is a member of the NZ Media Council.
WorkSafe has backed its call to release the investigation report into Christchurch Boys’ High, despite being lambasted by the school’s board of trustees. The board labelled the August release as “irresponsible and damaging” and “would have welcomed the opportunity to properly respond and put those allegations to the test”.
This comes as legal action taken by a former member of staff looms in the Employment Relations Authority.
The report contained allegations made by former staff against the school and headmaster Nic Hill. It bears a “draft” label and some parts were left incomplete and highlighted in yellow.
The report omitted to say whether investigators had interviewed headmaster Nic Hill or received a statement from former board chair Leanne Watson, now the CEO of Business Canterbury.
WorkSafe confirmed Hill “was not interviewed as part of the investigation. WorkSafe interviewed CBHS Board Chair, Michael Singleton alongside their legal counsel”.
The NZR contacted Business Canterbury. Watson was said to be in a meeting and referred any queries back to the school and its spokesperson.
While not making an outright denial of the allegations, the board was adamant that making the report public was wrong, stating the allegations had not been “fully tested”.
Morena Peter
The following response to your enquiry can be attributed to the CBHS Board of Trustees.
Thank you for your enquiry of 28 August 2024.
We understand you are now in receipt of a draft report prepared by Worksafe in 2023.
Worksafe conducted a prolonged investigation into complaints led by a group of former staff. Worksafe decided NOT to prosecute. While CBHS respects your right to seek a copy of the report we consider the decision by Worksafe to release, an incomplete and inaccurate report to be both irresponsible and damaging.
The matters raised in that report are the untested opinions of Worksafe and not those of the school. Worksafe admits the report was not completed to a “finalised standard” and following a review of the investigation file, Worksafe decided the investigation did not uncover enough evidence to file charges under the Health and Safety Work Act, 2015.
The fact that senior Worksafe officials signed off and commented on an incomplete and inaccurate draft report before its own investigation process was even finished, completely undermines their credibility. We are shocked a government agency can behave in this way. Given its shortcomings we won’t be commenting on the detail of that report other than to note CBHS would have welcomed the opportunity to properly respond and put those allegations to the test.
Prior to the completion of the investigation CBHS the Board of Trustees had already engaged a firm of experts to do an independent assessment of the School’s policies and procedures. They recognised CBHS were doing well in a number of areas as well as identifying opportunities for improvement. That work is underway and progressing well .
Culture at CBHS is something the Board is deeply committed to enhancing, improving and monitoring. While we acknowledge not all experiences are the same, regular check ins and surveys of staff and students show high levels of well-being. Our staff report feeling safe at work.
You have asked us to reconcile our accounts with those of this small group of staff, many of who haven’t worked at the school for several years. Put simply we can’t. Sadly, over the past six years the Board and Headmaster Nic Hill have been subjected to a deeply personal and sustained campaign of allegations from a small group of disgruntled former staff.
Despite complaining to the Ombudsman, the Privacy Commissioner, the Ministry of Education, lodging personal grievances with the Employment Relations Authority, the Teaching Council, the NZ Police, to local MPs and the Minister of Education, not one of these bodies has upheld complaints from those within that group.
Those staff have been able to take advantage of anonymity to attack Mr Hill, his family and the Board. Those attacks have come at a personal cost and Mr Hill continues to display courage in constantly bringing his best self to our boys. As a Board we are very grateful to him for that.
There is no link between the investigation and the recent incidents you refer to. With the support of the Board, Mr Hill has been at the forefront of reinforcing a positive and inclusive school culture and calling out unhealthy negative behaviours. The manner in which CBHS has responded to these events is a reflection of that commitment.
Christchurch Boys High School
Board of Trustees
Ngā mihi
Amiee
[9 September 2024]
In response to the rebuke, WorkSafe’s Head of Inspectorate Rob Pope wrote “the Board is entitled to its view, but WorkSafe has obligations under the OIA”.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The New Zealand Reporter to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.