New bully claim rocks top school

ROBERT CHARLES/Taranaki Daily News

On the warpath: Whanganui mother Pip Houghton-Rountree has taken her son out of New Plymouth Boys' High School after bullying allegations.

A leading Taranaki school is embroiled in another bullying controversy after a 13-year-old boarder complained to police that he was repeatedly tormented.
The boy, from Whanganui, was interviewed by Child Youth and Family for police last week.
The boy's mother, Pip Houghton-Rountree, says she removed her son from New Plymouth Boys' High School after claims he was bullied in a dormitory at the school.
Bullying at the school came under the spotlight two years ago when an undertaking was made to improve the culture and respect within the school.
"The last 10 weeks has been a life of hell for us," Mrs Houghton-Rountree said from Whanganui last night.
Her one goal was to ensure that the older boy at the centre of the allegations was expelled.
"I'm going to fight until something is done. My goal is to get rid of that kid and the bullying to be sorted. He's destroyed my boy."
She claims her son was being "dealt to" on average, every three days during the first term. She took him out of the school after he ran away after the first week of the second term.
Principal Michael McMenamin said yesterday the school was yet to hear what the Whanganui's boy's allegations were. However, the school had given the boy counselling and worked closely with the boy's mother when initial concerns were raised.
"Mrs Rountree expressed satisfaction with the way we handled it at the end of the term," he said.
His comments are backed by the school's latest Education Review Office (ERO) report which found the boarders had pride in their school and were "strongly satisfied" with hostel life.
"The ERO report is accurate and the culture in the hostel is a family one where the vast majority of the boys enjoy the school," Mr McMenamin said.
School authorities were aware they would never totally stamp out bullying, he said. And while about 95 per cent of boys enjoyed their time boarding, the small minority would always find it hard, he said.
"We have worked closely with Mrs Rountree. We have made special provisions for her son including counselling. Mrs Rountree has expressed satisfaction to me on how incidents were dealt with.
"The vast majority of boys are happy in the hostel and love the school – anonymous surveys indicate this as well.
"There are a few that I have enrolled who do not want to be in the hostel or who find boarding difficult. Incidents do happen and we deal with them to the best of our ability."

Improved procedures were put in place at the school in 2009 following an independent inquiry into bullying, sparked by an assault on a senior boarder in November 2008.
WHAT THE OFFICIALS SAY
The Education Review Office 2010 report says the hostel, which accommodates 200 students and has 17 per cent of school role has: A family atmosphere and shared student pride in their school evident. Students indicate strong satisfaction with hostel life.
Trustees recognise importance of secure and supportive boarding environment. Boarding life enhanced by An experienced manager providing sound leadership Regular communication between boarding managers and principal to promote a safe and supportive living and learning environment. Seniors caring for juniors and international students.
- Taranaki Daily News