Ashburton Courier: November 04, 2021
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www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz<br />
Report clears<br />
college unit<br />
An independent investigation has<br />
found bullying and harassment<br />
allegations raised by aformer staff<br />
member at <strong>Ashburton</strong> College’s<br />
special needs unit (TeWhaare<br />
Manaaki)havenofoundation.<br />
<strong>Ashburton</strong> Collegeappointed<br />
Penni Hlaca,ahuman resources<br />
professional andlicensed private<br />
investigator, to investigate<br />
allegations raised.<br />
Theinvestigationinvolved<br />
interviews with 10staff members,<br />
including thecomplainant, several<br />
staff from the Ministry of<br />
Education who specialise in<br />
special education and11parents.<br />
Thecomprehensive report<br />
produced clearly shows there is no<br />
foundation to the complaints laid,<br />
<strong>Ashburton</strong>College principalRoss<br />
Preece says.<br />
‘‘We now have some certainty<br />
around theaccuracy ofthe<br />
allegations because of the<br />
thoroughprocess we have been<br />
through.’’<br />
Mr Preece saidthe report<br />
findings would notbereleased<br />
because theprivacy of staff,pupils<br />
andparentsneeded to be<br />
respected.<br />
Theexecutive summaryfrom<br />
theinvestigation said therewere<br />
some working relationshipissues<br />
betweentheheadteacher and<br />
some learningassistants in Te<br />
Whaare Manaaki,but no<br />
allegations of bullying were<br />
Ross Preece<br />
upheld.<br />
Several alleged incidents in the<br />
complaint were not witnessedby<br />
anyone andwhere alleged<br />
incidents were investigated<br />
witnesseshad different<br />
recollections of events.<br />
The reportalsostatedthatTe<br />
Whaare Manaakiwasunder<br />
resourced with qualified teachers<br />
whichpresentedchallenges for<br />
both the teacher and learning<br />
support assistants.<br />
‘‘Wehavebeen lookinghard and<br />
advertisedfor suitable qualified<br />
staff on anumber of occasions, but<br />
have been unable to find anyone,’’<br />
Mr Preece said.<br />
MrPreece said going forward<br />
workwouldbedone to ensure<br />
there was respect andpositive<br />
working relationships among staff<br />
in Te WhaareManaaki.<br />
NEWS<br />
<strong>Ashburton</strong> <strong>Courier</strong>, <strong>November</strong> 4, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Methven youth support<br />
MICK.JENSEN<br />
@ashburtoncourier.co.nz<br />
Brad Olsen is Methven’s new youth mentor<br />
andisloving hisnew surroundings.<br />
He hails from Dunedin, is akeen fan of the<br />
outdoors and one of thetools in his kitbag is<br />
Adventure Therapy.<br />
He uses it to connect with youth in a<br />
natural settingand to help them build<br />
resilience andconfidence.<br />
Mr Olsen moved to Methven last yearwith<br />
his wife Kelly,who grewupinMid<br />
Canterbury, and his eightyearolddaughter<br />
Scarlett, who goes to MethvenPrimary<br />
School.<br />
He initially workedintheLearning<br />
Support Unit at MountHutt College, but in<br />
September took up the 20hour week youth<br />
mentor role, which is basedatthe college.<br />
Heworks forTePauwaitanga Trust, which<br />
was setupinthe township20years ago to<br />
help youth,and is supported by Presbyterian<br />
Support.<br />
Mr Olsen spent 14 yearsasayouth worker<br />
in aCareand Protectionresidence in<br />
Dunedin.<br />
His role in Methven is that of acommunity<br />
connector.<br />
Mr Olsen said he offered advocacy if youth<br />
were experiencing concerns at school, home<br />
or in the community, and could also connect<br />
them to school counsellors or other services<br />
outsideofschool.<br />
Stressaround covid and exams were<br />
currentissues young people were dealing<br />
with, he said.<br />
‘‘I enjoy working alongside young people,<br />
listening to their storiesand beingableto<br />
give feedbackinanonjudgemental<br />
manner.’’<br />
Theserviceisforyouth of any age and not<br />
just those at Mount Hutt.<br />
Mr Olsen said he has apassion for<br />
Adventure Therapy, which supportedyoung<br />
New Methven youth mentor Brad Olsen.<br />
3<br />
peopletowards thechallenges faced in an<br />
outdoorsenvironment.<br />
Thosechallengesbuilt confidenceand<br />
allowed youth to overcomeavariety of<br />
obstacles.<br />
Mr Olsen competed in theCoast To Coast<br />
in 2016 and takes everyopportunity to get<br />
outdoors.<br />
He is on cooking duties soon at aMount<br />
Hutt CollegeYear8campand willalso<br />
supportathreeday Year 10 wilderness<br />
camp.<br />
Mr Olsen works Monday,Tuesday,<br />
Thursday and Friday between 8.45am and<br />
1.45pmand can be contactedbyemail<br />
(youthmentor@mthutt.school.nz) or via the<br />
MountHuttCollege office.<br />
Spend$40 or<br />
more in <strong>November</strong><br />
andget $5 off *<br />
your next in-store<br />
purchase at<br />
Postie <strong>Ashburton</strong>!<br />
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*Earnvouchers between4th <strong>November</strong> and30th <strong>November</strong> <strong>2021</strong>.Qualifying purchase must<br />
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redeemed between4th <strong>November</strong> and15thDecember<strong>2021</strong>with aminimum spend of $20.<br />
Original vouchermustbepresented duringredemption. Offer only available at Postie <strong>Ashburton</strong>.
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