Hutt Valley's school for scandal

The college at the centre of horrific schoolyard sex attack allegations has been condemned as out of control by concerned neighbours "sickened" at the antics of some students.

A Sunday News investigation into Hutt Valley High School has revealed claims of a seedy drug and sex culture at the college, which has six students aged just 13 and 14 before the courts in relation to the alleged violation of up to five schoolmates.

Residents next to the central Lower Hutt school plus youths who say they go to the school told Sunday News how pupils were:

* Having sex in cars and bushes at lunchtime.

* Drinking booze and smoking drugs behind the school.

* Taunting and intimidating elderly residents.

* Tagging neighbouring houses with offensive graffiti and smashing letterboxes.

Told the results of our investigation, Education Minister Chris Carter last night said he had ordered an urgent inquiry into Hutt Valley High.

"From the information I have to date, I believe the school is dealing with the situation appropriately but I have asked for a report from the Ministry of Education outlining what actions are being taken to assist the school and ensure adequate measures are in place to ensure student safety," Carter told Sunday News.

"I expect a report next week."

Five 13-year-old boys from the college have been referred to the Family Court and a 14-year-old will appear in Lower Hutt Youth Court in relation to complaints by a 14-year-old schoolmate who claims he had his pants pulled down and was violated with a sharp object in the schoolgrounds at lunchtime on December 6.

Investigating police are now looking at claims up to four other Hutt Valley High students were also attacked, including having their pants pulled down and being violated with scissors, calculators, cellphones and a shoe.

The alleged offenders who can't be named for legal reasons are believed to be members of the Killer Coconut Krew gang.

One parent was so concerned for her son's safety she withdrew him from the school so he wouldn't be "bum raped".

Hutt Valley High has been widely criticised for failing to notify police of the alleged sex attacks, instead standing down six boys.

One of the alleged victims and his mother contacted police.

Sunday News visited the college last week and found a group of young teens, who said they were students, drinking and smoking over the school's back fence.

They claimed they were regularly able to cut class, climb the fence and go to an abandoned public toilet nearby to drink and smoke cigarettes and cannabis.

"We call it the greenhouse," one teen bragged.

"We come here during class, at lunchtime, whenever we want to get away.

"The teachers have no idea what goes on."

Hutt Valley High is one of New Zealand's largest schools, with a role of more than 1700 students.

Neighbouring residents told Sunday News pupils were running riot.

"This used to be one of the best neighbourhoods in New Zealand, but now... the kids run wild, we don't even feel safe in our own homes," one said.

Another resident said he felt "like a prisoner in my own home" from 8am-4pm on schooldays.

"I'm too embarrassed to walk down my own street, because there's teenagers all through the bushes and in the cars having sex with each other," he said.

"If you walk behind the tennis courts, they're all there drinking and smoking and let me tell you it's not just tobacco they're smoking up there."

An elderly man said he'd lived in the neighbourhood for 45 years and the students got worse every year.

"They keep smashing my letterbox," he said. "This is the fourth letterbox that I've had to replace. As I was putting this one up a group of kids walked past and said, `How long do you think that one will last old man?"'

He said many residents had complained to the school about the students' antics, but considered they hadn't been taken seriously.

"Perhaps the Government needs to step in and take care of it, because the school are doing nothing," he said.

Hutt Valley High board of trustees chairwoman Susan Pilbrow denied students were having sex during school time but said she would be looking into residents' concerns.

"The concept that sexual activity is taking place in cars is simply not credible," Pilbrow said.

"I absolutely categorically state that we do not condone taking drugs, drinking alcohol, smoking or illicit sexual activity at school."

National Party education spokeswoman Katherine Rich last night said it was important the Government see their investigation through to the end and take measures to clean up the school.

"The allegations of sex, drugs, alcohol, intimidation and violence within school time are very serious and should be investigated properly," Rich said.

"No parent wants to send their child to a school where thugs can run riot and where there is a culture of fear. It's totally unacceptable."

 

- © Fairfax NZ News