Worried About a Child or Staff Member?
At Wesley College, we are committed to ensuring the safety of all students. We have dedicated Safeguarding Staff and effective processes to help prevent child safety risks and to support any student who may be experiencing or at risk of experiencing a risk to their wellbeing or safety.
We strongly encourage anyone with a worry or a concern about a student, including any concerns that may relate to possible allegations against staff, to contact our Safeguarding Officer and share that concern.
Reporting a Child Safety Concern
If something feels wrong or if you’re unsure, it’s always okay to speak to someone. If it turns out to be nothing, then that’s fine. However, if it is something, you could have made a big difference for that student and others. If you have a worry or a concern about a student, please say something.
You can:
- Contact our Safeguarding Officer
 | Safeguarding Officer: Ms Judy Mariner Phone: 09 2370224 EXT 854 Mobile: 0273334125 Email: [email protected] |
- Speak to any member of staff. Including the Chaplain (09 2370224 Ext 854 or [email protected]) for student faith support needs.
- Submit a complaint via the Complaints Policy and Complaint Form:
- Through our website
- By emailing [email protected]
- By phoning 09 2370224
Students Only  |
Students can also report concerns through the Stymie App. Stymie is a private, student-friendly resource we use at Wesley College to help students report any incidents of concerning behaviour in a safe way and if preferred, anonymous way. Students can access the Stymie App here |
Under Section 15 of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, any person who believes a child or young person is at risk can also contact Oranga Tamariki (0508 326 459) or the Police (111 or 105 for non-emergencies) directly.
This would include if a person was unsatisfied with decisions taken by the College and believed a child remained at risk. For any concerns relating to a child at Wesley College or College staff, we encourage discussing these in the first instance with our Safeguarding Officer (027 333 4125 or [email protected]).
Child Safety Risks
Essentially, all types of harm fall under one or more of the four categories of abuse, which in themselves are also recognised as harm and abuse. At Wesley College, we have a zero-tolerance stance on abuse and neglect.
Physical Abuse: This is when a child/young person is hurt or put at serious risk of harm by someone’s actions. It can include hitting, shaking, slapping, kicking, burning, or giving harmful substances like drugs or alcohol. Injuries might happen in one incident or over time. | Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse affects how a child/young person feels about themselves. It can include ongoing criticism, rejection, threats, or making a child/young person feel unloved or worthless. It also includes overprotectiveness, setting unfair expectations, or ignoring a child’s cultural identity. Emotional abuse can happen on its own or alongside other types of abuse. |
Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse is when an adult or another young person uses power or influence to involve a child/young person in sexual activities, whether or not the child/young person understands or agrees. It can include contact or non-contact behaviours like showing sexual images, online grooming, or making inappropriate comments. It often starts with grooming, where someone builds trust to prepare the child/young person for abuse. | Neglect: Neglect is when a child/young person’s basic needs aren’t met. This could mean not providing proper food, clothing, medical care, supervision, emotional support, or education. Neglect often happens over time, but can also be serious after one incident. |