Selwyn_Times: April 20, 2022

• From page 5
The tribunal was provided with
a letter from Rolleston College
principal Rachel Skelton who
confirmed having “full knowledge
of the matter “ and that she
had “spoken to Mr Stokes about it
in depth”.
Skelton told
the tribunal
Stokes was “well
respected by
his colleagues
and learners”
and she had “no
concerns” about
his professional
conduct at his
current school
– or about him
as a teacher and
as a professional.
The tribunal said it was “appropriate
and necessary” to impose
a formal penalty on Stokes – but
cancelling or suspending his
teaching registration was not on
the cards.
“The tribunal is satisfied that
Mr Stokes has significant insight
into the inappropriateness of his
conduct,” it ruled.
“It considered that Mr Stokes
is capable of being rehabilitated
with the benefit of mentoring and
further reflection … as a relatively
young teacher he should be
given an opportunity to further
his teaching career.
“That is not to say that the
tribunal did not consider his
behaviour on the podcast was in
any way acceptable.”
The tribunal made an order
censuring Stokes “as a mark
of its serious disquiet about
his conduct, and to uphold
professional standards”.
“Mr Stokes’ conduct involved
behaviour that cannot be countenanced
in the teaching profession
and a message needs to be sent to
that effect not only to Mr Stokes
but to all members of the teaching
profession.
“Teachers must take care
to avoid engaging in conduct
outside of work … that negatively
impacts on the trust and
confidence students, whānau and
members of the public are entitled
to have in them as a teacher
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Suspension ‘not on cards’
Rachel
Skelton
and as a role model and it reflects
badly on the integrity and standing
of the teaching profession.”
The tribunal ordered that the
register of teachers is be annotated
to record the censure which
will remain in effect for one year.
It also ordered Stokes to
participate in mentoring with a
mentor of his choice and provide
evidence to the tribunal within
six months.
Further, Stokes is to provide
a “reflective statement” about
his professional obligations and
for the next two years must
advise any prospective or future
employers of the tribunal’s
decision.
The tribunal ordered Stokes to
pay $4250 to the CAC.
– NZ Herald
Wednesday April 20 2022 Selwyn Times
NEWS 7
Rural areas
receiving RAT kits
RAPID ANTIGEN test kits
are being delivered to people in
rural areas of the district.
Areas covered are Arthur’s
Pass, Castle Hill, Lake Coleridge,
Springfield, Sheffield,
Waddington, Whitecliffs, Glentunnel,
Coalgate, Dunsandel
township, Kaianga/Dunsandel,
Bankside,Southbridge, Rakaia
Huts, Lakeside, Brookside/
Irwell, Selwyn Huts, Greenpark,
and Motukarara.
The Canterbury Distirct
Health Board initiative involves
using the district’s community
response team, some who are
delivering kits on bikes.
There are 19 RAT distribution
points at response team members’
homes.
Said the district council community
resilience co-ordinator
Sue Jenkins. “A local CRT person
in each of these areas is
the point of contact and when
contacted via cell or email, they
arrange contactless delivery or
pick up for people in their area.
“Some are also contacting
their vulnerable residents and
ensuring they have access to the
support they need.”
About 650 RAT kits have been
supplied to the community via
the distribution points.
“There has been an overwhelmingly
positive and
appreciative response from the
community. The CRT contacts
have loved being involved and
appreciate being able to support
their communities in this way,”
Jenkins said.
Response team members are
Civil Defence volunteers. There
are 32 CRTs throughout the
district, with about 180 people
in these teams.
Said Jenkins: “They are our
eyes and ears around the district
who co-ordinate the local
response during a Civil Defence
emergency. They are all police
vetted, are offered free first aid
training and psychological first
aid and are a known and trusted
source of information into the
emergency operations centre
during an event.”
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