Editorial: College rises above setback

As a former student of Otumoetai College, I was shocked and saddened to hear one of its teachers had been accused of paying to watch teenagers have sex.

Shocked that a high school teacher would deem it acceptable behaviour and saddened that it had pushed a good school into the limelight for all the wrong reasons.

Not only was Andrew Loader a teacher, he was a well-respected senior head of department, who had gained the trust of his colleagues and students over nine years on the staff.

I have friends who are teachers and I understand it can be difficult having to constantly consider who might be watching your behaviour or listening to what what you say beyond the school gates.

But with choosing teaching as a profession comes a willingness to accept that your behaviour will be watched by those who entrust you with educating their children.

By committing a crime, Loader breached the trust of both his students and their parents.

I am pleased the school did not appeal Judge Robert Wolff's decision to allow its name to be published.

Otumoetai College is the largest school in the Western Bay, and every current or former student and their families knew Loader was a teacher there.

The school's name being published showed a willingness on its part to be transparent.

Otumoetai College principal Dave Randell said Loader's "unbecoming conduct" was very disappointing. However, he added, the public could have complete confidence the school had taken the appropriate disciplinary action.

Teachers are still human and no amount of references or police checking could have alerted the principal to how Loader would behave.

As the new year starts, Loader has gone and his actions should not reflect in any way on the calibre of the school.

With Otumoetai College at maximum capacity for Year 9 students, it appears they haven't.