7 June 2023
Response to Harwood Wilson
Official Informa�on Request
Dear Harwood,
I enclose my responses to your ques�ons emailed to me on the 10th May 2023.
1. We are very conscious of the world of students and their rela�onships. The reference to ‘old
fashioned ways’, meant interac�ng in a posi�ve social se�ng, largely free of electronic
devices, where a large number of students were able to enjoy each other’s company. A sit
down dinner with photographs and dancing. Follow up communica�on with parent’s
stressed that the gender and or iden�ty of the partner was not an issue. I met with
individuals, a class and then finally the whole of the Year 13 group before I made the decision.
They were offered the chance to come up with another event if they did not want this style
of formal occasion. They did not provide an alterna�ve op�on because they wanted the
formal.
2. The doubling up of partners was only within the school. A confiden�al discussion with a
student leadership group (where no names were discussed) prior to the decision, indicated
there were no known same sex couples within the year group. All school an�-bullying policies
were in line for this event as it is with all events.
3. I feel this has been answered in Ques�ons 1 and 2.
4. Policy atached.
5. No, the school does not accept that as a single sex school, there is limited opportunity to
meet anyone outside of the school. This ques�on implies single sex students are naturally
social y isolated and I do not believe that to be the case. Our students are members of wider
communi�es, through whanau, work and social and sports clubs. For instance, we have a
school produc�on with Otago Girls’ High every year. This year at the Formal most boys
brought a friend from outside of our school, rather than someone they were in a rela�onship
with.
6. This is an opinion, not based on any knowledge of our school or its students. Many students
were accompanied on the night by friends, cousins and some used contacts with friends in
other schools to find someone to accompany them. The school prefect team arranged for
students from here to accompany students from other schools, as friends, through their
prefect network. One brought his twin brother who atends a different school.
7. None, the students were offered the opportunity for an alterna�ve event and decided to
proceed with the Yr 13 Formal event.
8. No minutes were taken.
9. Fairness to those who had met the requirement. In 2022 when we al owed single �cket sales
or doubling up, we had to postpone the event by 3 months due to low �cket sales. By
changing the requirement, we did not have to postpone or shi� the event.
10. I believe I have answered this in ques�on 2.
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The school formal was held on the 20th of May and was very successful. Tradi�onally 55-60% of the
year group atend the ball, this is with single sales, this year, with only doubles that increased to 65%
of the year group. More bought the double passes. Students could bring a partner of any gender or
iden�ty from outside of the school.
Regards,
Richard Hall
Rector/Tumuaki
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