Papatoetoe High School

To Papatoetoe High School,

My daughter has been attending Papatoetoe High School for the last four years, and we have never experienced these kinds of problems before. In previous years, she was always excited and happy to go to school, but this year the environment has become extremely stressful for her. She constantly argues with me because she does not want to attend school anymore. She now describes school as feeling like a jail instead of a place where students should feel safe, supported, and happy.

I have also spoken with other parents and students from the school, and many of them are expressing the same concerns.

One major issue is bullying. While my daughter herself has not been directly bullied, she has told me that some new Indian students are being mocked and bullied by other students. I am not mentioning any names, but this behaviour should not be ignored.

Another concern is the attitude of some teachers and staff. Students feel that teachers no longer listen to them and are becoming rude and disrespectful. This creates a negative environment where students feel unheard and unsupported.

The condition of the school toilets is also unacceptable. Closing almost all toilets during class time is unfair and unrealistic, especially for female students. Having only one girls’ toilet open in C Block for over a thousand girls is completely unreasonable. The toilets are often dirty, blocked with toilet paper, lacking soap, and not cleaned properly during the school day. This raises serious hygiene concerns.

One incident that upset me deeply was when my daughter urgently needed a toilet during her period because she was bleeding and did not have a pad. She asked a teacher nearby to open a closer toilet, but instead of helping her, he told her to walk to the C Block toilets even though there was already a long line of students waiting. This was handled with no understanding or compassion for a young girl in an embarrassing and urgent situation.

My daughter also spoke to the dean from Yellow House about these issues, but she felt dismissed instead of supported. Students who attend school properly should not feel punished because of the actions of a few students who misbehave or skip classes.

This is my daughter’s final year of school, a year where students should be making positive memories and focusing on their future. Instead, she no longer wants to attend because of the stressful environment, poor hygiene, lack of support, and negative treatment students are experiencing.

I strongly request that the school seriously reviews these issues:
- Reopen more toilets during class time
- Ensure toilets are cleaned regularly throughout the day
- Provide proper hygiene supplies such as soap
- Improve the way students are spoken to and treated
- Address bullying properly
- Stop punishing all students because of the actions of a small number of students

Please take these concerns seriously and make changes for the wellbeing of all students. If these issues continue without improvement, I, along with other concerned parents, will consider taking this matter to higher authorities.

Thank you.

Bad school my son only lasted 3 months I think they are racist didn't even give him a chance but I have heard alot of bad reviews about the school aswell they also think your kid has adhd if they doing bad in school honestly don't recommend that school at all

ms ava kerr is immature and unprofessional. throwing slick comments and making it like she assesses everything when in reality she just favours the popular kids and lets them use their phones in class. she will neglect complaints and students asking for help, because she’ll only benefit specific students. she also has a tendency to act painfully cringe during class, and say stuff to look cool. i hate her attitude, and she acts all reassuring when in reality she will sit there and not feel sorry for the lack of teaching she offers, even in times when you really needed it. shes just someone who will pray on your downfall and continue to be a horrible teacher, shes so ignorant and only thinks of herself. shes selfish

worst school staff is very bad

School is very bad teachers are rascist they only like maori kids and the kids think they are badass and tuff the food is so bad and overpriced teachers teach you fake stuff

Teachers are nice, only a few that don't treat everyone fairly. Also some teachers are put in subjects that aren't their specific teaching subject, eg. Science teacher is a food teacher. Wide range of subjects however not that much languages and in year 12 and 13 you can only pick 5 so pick wisely for your future. Money is spent to stupid things like the hall where they didn't even upgrade the stage nor floor and they could have upgraded the toilets to have soap in them. Alot of groups and activities to do though!