Bay Harbour: June 29,

FREE Wednesday JUne 29 2016 379 7100 Bay Harbour News Proudly locally owned and published by Star Media Brookhaven, Heathcote, Ferrymead ,Redcliffs, Mt. Pleasant, Sumner, Lyttelton, Diamond Harbour, Governors Bay, Akaroa Black Billed Gull Deb Beesley Your local hills and Bayside specialist. You’ll be sold! M: 027 280 8837 E: deb.beesley @harcourts.co.nz LICENSED SALES CONSULTANT REAA 2008 GRENADIER Mum pulls kids from school • By Bridget Rutherford THE PARENT who says her children were bullied in the playground at Lyttelton Primary has pulled them from the school. Caroline Quinn told Bay Harbour News that her two daughters, aged six and eight, would not attend school for the rest of the term. They will start at Governors Bay School for term 3. It comes after she raised concerns with school management that her daughters had been subjected to bullying in Community to say goodbye to Sumner Village Green Bullying fears prompt action the playground. She said the most recent incident happened last Monday. She alleges a group of boys came over to a group of girls in the playground and pushed her eldest daughter to the ground and punched her in the face. She said another five-year-old boy was then strangled. But when she told school management, they refused to believe there was a problem, she said. Other parents had told her their children had also been bullied at the school, yet management had done nothing, she said. “This denial that there’s even an issue is so frustrating.” The school’s Board of Trustees held a meeting on Monday night to discuss parents’ concerns. The board issued a statement saying it acknowledged the school needed to do better when communicating its policy and strategies for dealing with behavioural management issues. It said a new committee had been formed tasked with monitoring and improving behaviour within the school community. “Input from parents and students will be encouraged,” it said. Ms Quinn, who has lived in Lyttelton for 15 years, said she pulled her children from the school on Monday. “I’ve promised them they don’t have to go back there.” She said the bullying problems began when Lyttelton Main and West schools merged. Her eldest child had attended Lyttelton Main. Other parents were considering pulling their children from the school, she said. “All I want is for the teachers and kids to be supported in Lyttelton. We only have one school now.” • Education Minister Hekia Parata officially opens Lyttelton Primary, page 4. SO LONG, FAREWELL: Sumner residents are preparing for the farewell of their village green. Construction of the new community centre, library and museum on the site on the corner of Wakefield Ave and Nayland St will begin in August. Residents were at the green on Monday to prune the roses so they could be sold at a last hurrah party this weekend. Story, page 3 ​ PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN Lyttelton Heathcote Valley 42 Norwich Quay, Lyttelton Ph. 328 7744 Visit: www.superliquor.co.nz or call 0800 SUPERL (0800 787 375) for your local store. Over 120 stores nationwide, 100% locally owned and operated. Offer ends close of trade 2nd July 2016, while stocks last. Available at participating stores only. Limits may apply at participating outlets. Trade not supplied. Terms and conditions may apply. Available 29th June - 2nd July 2016 inclusive. Please see www.superliquor.co.nz for details. Come in for a visit and experience the difference Ph 03 384 9249 108 Port hills Rd, heathcote Valley inspiring young minds 20 Hours Free for 3 & 4 yrs old Three age specific rooms plus School prep Teaching room For full information please visit our website www.hvp.co.nz Lyttelton Tunnel Ferrymead Heritage Park We are here Port Hills Rd Tunnel Rd Bridle Path Rd Martindales Rd