Breaking News: Wesley College's Boarding Hostels Face Immediate Closure!
This week, Wesley College finds itself in a precarious situation. The Ministry of Education has ordered the closure of its boarding hostels, effective this Friday. This decision accelerates a previously announced plan to close by the end of the term, prompted by what the Ministry describes as "further serious incidents."
Just two weeks ago, the school had declared its intention to close the hostels by the end of Term 4. Board chairperson Jan Tasker explained that a comprehensive review was underway, with reopening contingent upon guaranteeing "the highest standards of safety, care, and student wellbeing."
However, a recent Facebook post by Principal Brian Evans revealed that the Ministry has mandated a "partial closure" of the hostels. The school is currently in discussions with ministry officials and will provide further updates. The school board is also seeking urgent legal advice regarding the Ministry's suspension of the hostel license.
But here's where it gets controversial... This move follows a year-long investigation by 1News, published in 2023. The investigation brought to light disturbing accounts of bullying, violence, abuse, and historical misconduct at the Methodist school.
Sean Teddy, the Ministry of Education's leader of operations and integration, stated that the hostel's license was suspended due to ongoing concerns about the safety and well-being of the boarders. He noted that despite some improvements since special conditions were imposed on the hostel's renewed license in April 2025, further serious incidents have occurred this year. These incidents have highlighted persistent issues with student safety, staff oversight, and the hostel's ability to change long-standing practices that put boarders at risk. The Education Review Office had also recommended the suspension of the hostels' license in September.
"This recommendation, alongside the Ministry’s own monitoring and the recurrence of harmful incidents, has led to the conclusion that continued operation of the hostel in its current state is not in the best interests of boarders," Teddy said.
To minimize disruption, boarders with NCEA commitments and international students may remain until exams finish and until the end of term, respectively. The Ministry is committed to ensuring the safety and support of all boarders and will continue to work closely with the school and families to manage this transition.
And this is the part most people miss... The speed of this decision underscores the severity of the issues at hand. It raises questions about the effectiveness of previous interventions and the measures being taken to protect the students.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you believe the Ministry's actions are justified? Share your opinions in the comments below!
