Printed from https://fyi.org.nz./request/23975-school-policy-on-queer-students on December 18, 2024 23:10

School policy on queer students

BFS made this Official Information request to Kingsway School

The request was successful.

From: BFS

Dear Kingsway School,

My request relates to the statements made at footnote 84 of the Kingsway Trust's Theological Framework. For reference, these are:

"Being male or female is grounded in our biological sex. This is important to note in a culture that recognises increasing gender fluidity... in keeping with the dignity and value of every person made in God’s image, we seek to be understanding and compassionate with students who are questioning their gender and/or sexual orientation."

I am requesting any information held regarding Kingsway School's approach to students who are questioning their gender and/or sexual identification (e.g., policy documents, teacher training materials), and specifically what the boundaries of "understanding and compassionate" are.

Yours faithfully,

BFS

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From: Lee-Anne Hefer
Kingsway School

To Whom It May Concern,

Please see reply below from our Executive Principal:

I acknowledge your request for information. Please can you identify yourself in accordance with the OIA requirements.

Kind regards,
Graeme Budler
(Executive Principal)

Lee-Anne Hefer
Reception (Mo-Th)  |  DDI 09 200 1931
POSTAL ADDRESS  PO Box 54, Red Beach, Auckland 0945
SENIOR CAMPUS  100 Jelas Road, Red Beach, Auckland 0932 | Ph 09 200 1931
JUNIOR CAMPUS  2 Bonair Crescent, Silverdale, Auckland, 0932| Ph 09 200 1831
www.kingsway.school.nz   |   FACEBOOK

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From: BFS

Mōrena Mr Budler,

Thank you for acknowledging my request. My name is Bella-Francesca Stuart, and I am a New Zealand citizen per s 12(1) of the Official Information Act.

I look forward to receiving your response.

Ngā mihi,

Bella

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From: KingsWay Notices
Kingsway School

Attachment 2023.09.22 Reply to OIA from Bella Francesca Stuart.pdf
176K Download View as HTML

Attachment STAFF MANUAL 6.Legal Responsibilities Privacy.pdf
757K Download View as HTML

Attachment ERO School Self Audit Checklist and Assurance Statement Heatlh Safety and Welfare.pdf
811K Download View as HTML

Attachment Supporting Vulnerable Students Staff Discussion Notes.pdf
42K Download View as HTML

Attachment Supporting Vulnerable Students at KingsWay.pdf
476K Download View as HTML

Attachment KingsWay School Bullying Policy.pdf
213K Download View as HTML

Attachment KingsWay School Supporting Student Wellbeing Policy.pdf
227K Download View as HTML

Attachment KWS BULLYING SEX EDUCATION.pdf
55K Download View as HTML

Attachment Pastoral Care Team PD Holding the Tension.pdf
1.5M Download View as HTML

Attachment Relationships Sexuality Evaluation Summary Report for BOT.pdf
237K Download View as HTML

Attachment Introduction to RSE at KWS.pdf
336K Download View as HTML

Dear Francesca

Please find attached reply to your request below.

Thank you
KingsWay School

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Mark Hanna left an annotation ()

It's a bit late now, but I would like to point out that the school's response "Please can you identify yourself in accordance with the OIA requirements" misunderstands the OIA.

There are no *requirements* to identify yourself in order to make a request under the OIA. There are eligibility criteria, but it's not mandatory to check that a requester fulfills these criteria. Rather, agencies are encouraged to fulfil requests regardless.

The Ombudsman's guideline on requests made online (https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/reso...) has a section on "Establishing eligibility under the OIA", which says:

"Agencies are entitled to make reasonable enquiries to satisfy themselves that a requester is eligible to make a request under the OIA. However, the eligibility requirement is not about imposing unnecessary barriers to legitimate requests. Agencies should only query eligibility if there is a genuine need to do so, and they should be mindful of their obligation to provide reasonable assistance to requesters.

...

Even if the requester turns out to be ineligible to make a request under the OIA, agencies should still provide a reasonable response, as their response could be investigated under the Ombudsmen Act 1975 (if the agency is subject to that Act). Agencies may also decide it doesn’t really matter whether the requester is eligible or not, because they’d be perfectly happy to supply the information to any person regardless of eligibility."

The Ombudsman has, in the past, submitted that the eligibility criteria should be removed from the OIA entirely.

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