Parents of two students at Taipa Area School in New Zealand’s Far North are calling for action against a staff member accused of using excessive force against their children during separate incidents.
The first alleged incident occurred in November at the school near Mangonui, which caters to students from Year 1 through Year 13.
According to parent Serene Mallowes, her primary school-aged son, who has ADHD-related behavioural challenges, became involved in an altercation with another student.
Mallowes claims that instead of verbally intervening to break up the dispute, a staff member physically confronted her son after the altercation had ended.
“The boys stopped and the staff member then walked towards my son, grabbed him by the back of his T-shirt and pushed him to the ground with force,” Mallowes alleged.
“He then pulled him up by his shirt and pushed him again. My son walked away sad, upset, and confused.”
The incident was reportedly captured on the school’s CCTV system and later reviewed during a meeting attended by the boy’s parents and school principal Lisa White.
Meeting notes prepared by the principal and later shared with the family stated that the employee had been stood down pending an investigation into the matter.
According to the notes, the staff member was described as “remorseful,” acknowledged wrongdoing, and had expressed concern for the student’s wellbeing. The employee also indicated a willingness to participate in a restorative meeting with the family.
The allegations have sparked concern among parents, who are urging the school to take stronger action to ensure student safety and accountability.
School officials have not publicly commented on the outcome of the investigation. The matter has drawn attention to the handling of student behaviour incidents and the appropriate use of force by school staff.
The case remains a source of concern for the affected families as they await further action from school authorities.
