The New Zealand Teachers Council is carrying out investigations into the personal conduct of two male teachers with students at Bethlehem College.
The college's board of trustees chairman Greg Hollister-Jones says one of the teachers is being investigated for an ‘inappropriate communication with a student' and the other for an ‘inappropriate relationship with a student'.
He confirmed the two teachers are Chris High and Colin Mackenzie, both aged in their 30s.
The two teachers resigned toward the end of term four last year.
Greg says students and staff are 'disappointed and saddened” by the allegations.
'Everyone was very upset because it has affected the students and the student teacher relationship, so we were upset and disappointed, but bad things do happen in any community.”
The two teachers are currently being investigated by a complaints assessments committee at the New Zealand Teachers Council.
A spokesperson at the council was unsure how long the investigation would take.
If the investigation upholds the allegations, the council can seek to have the teachers' practising certificates suspended.
Outgoing Bethlehem College Principal Phillip Nash declined to comment, saying Greg Hollister-Jones was the acting spokesperson for the school.
SunLive was unable to contact Colin Mackenzie or Chris High for comment.
Bethlehem College stopped its internal investigation into the allegations after the two teachers resigned.
Greg says there was no need to continue the investigation now that the teachers were no longer employed at the school.
Other media reports suggest Chris High has been the victim of a 'campaign of terror” since leaving the school and has now moved from Tauranga.
Greg was aware of these concerns and had advised Chris to contact police.
'We are very sorry about that, but the actions of our past or present students doing that is out of our control.”
4 comments
Innocent until proven guilty???
Posted on 10-01-2011 15:35 | By heather
I am not an associate or in any way connected with the school or teachers involved. But what did happen to the credo that the accussed are innocent until proven guilty? True if there is cause for concern it needs to be speedily dealt with...and not just shelved with the reignation of the staff members. But if these teachers are innocent of any wrong doing, then it is going to be hard for them to gain employment elsewhere, as "mud sticks".....and here in NZ it often sticks for life! I hope the matter is speedily sorted out and as a result, whatever the outcome, perhaps schools need to have systems in place that protect both parties, and if at all possible prevent any future problems from developing. A very diificult situation for everyone concerned.
Hormonal teenagers
Posted on 10-01-2011 20:08 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
I know Chris High personally and will stick up for the man 100pc. As for the people targeting his home and family,that's is exactly the sign of hormonal teenagers targeting an innocent man. This guy has studied so hard to make a new life in this country and had a decent go at being a better citizen. Why not have a good look at the people involved in these accusations because basicaly it's deformation.These kids nowadays have far to many rights. No fear of consequense! Now wonder so many of our kids are going feral! I ask you, should we bring back corporal punishment? I know Chris well and this just says to me someone didn't get the marks for NCEA or whatever it's called nowadays. Good luck Chris and Tim. All the best. PS. I'm absoutely sure you will both be vindicated!!! PSS. If the people that judge you both exercise any form of common sense!
proper investigation is the key
Posted on 11-01-2011 13:47 | By morepork
The key to this is a proper open, fair, investigation with all parties being heard. People cannot be tried by blogs and websites or innuendo, and a school investigation is likely to protect the school. If a disgruntled pupil now has the power to destroy a person's life then it is time we seriously reviewed the processes in place. Betrayal of trust is intolerable, but so is trial by accusation and allegation. Heather is right that this matter should not be shelved with the resignation of the teachers. It should only be resolved by a proper investigation that clearly shows what happened.
MORE
Posted on 15-01-2011 14:08 | By TERMITE
A fair investigation ? what is that, two men at a school and a hint of a complaint means "guilty" hung drawn and quartered no matter what relly happened. You only have to look at the case not so long ago in Christchurch as I recall, Ellis.
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