A concerned parent of a teenager at Marlborough Boys' College has slammed the principal's efforts to protect students, following accusations a teacher was having sexual relations with multiple students.
The father, who Newshub agreed not to name, alleges the teacher was not immediately placed on leave, as parents were told in correspondence from principal Wayne Hegarty.
He also claims the high school was trying to deal with the matter internally "well before" the teacher was placed on leave.
The teacher is being investigated amid claims she had sexual relationships with as many as six students over several years.
Marlborough Boys' College addressed the situation in an email to parents on May 17, which stated it had sought assistance from the Ministry of Education, police and Oranga Tamariki.
"The principal stated that the teacher was put on leave immediately, however that isn't true at all," the father told Newshub.
"An employee of the college has told me that a parent had made a complaint regarding the accused three months prior to the letter being sent out to parents."
The father says he was told of the allegations by the college employee, who is a teacher, three weeks ahead of a notice being sent out to parents.
At the same time, the teacher told him that "senior leaders" at the school were trying to "sweep the issue under the carpet".
"As a parent, I feel disgusted knowing that the teacher was still employed and hadn't been put on leave as soon as the claims were made," he says.
"I'm not happy about it... you've got a predator in the school. I have talked to many parents of kids at the school. They seem as disgusted as myself.
"Some parents are feeling anxious, shocked and sick. These are our children we work hard to raise with good morals."
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The Ministry of Education says it was first notified on May 9, according to an Official Information Act request made by the father.
Another notice was sent out to parents with an "update" on the situation on June 10 stating the accused's employment was "concluded".
The father believes it took way too long for action to be taken. He says the actions the school took have failed his son and other children.
A Marlborough Boys' College representative refused to answer questions about the matter, telling Newshub the allegations were subject to a police investigation.
"It is important that we do not inadvertently pre-empt or prejudice any external process."
Concern has also been expressed over the police handling of the investigation because the woman at the centre of the scandal is married to an officer who works at the Blenheim Police Station.
A police spokesperson was unable to comment on the specific question related to the matter however offered assurance that a conflict of interest wouldn't be a problem.
"We can say that quite rightly the public expects that we will carry out our work impartially at all times and the integrity of our investigations and processes is paramount.
"With this in mind, NZ Police have a comprehensive conflict of interest policy for identifying and managing any actual or perceived conflict of interest."
Newshub.
