Education and the law
Leaders can develop and expand their understanding of how the law applies to education in New Zealand through these case studies of actual school situations.
Note: The Education and the Law section is being updated during 2010. Articles will be removed and replaced from time to time as we move through the updating process.
Governance
Included within this section are examples of how the law applies to situations involving the board of trustees.
Family law
Schools often deal with a number of outside organisations (CYFS, police, counsel for child) to do with children's custody, family court orders, and guardianship issues. This information includes a description of some of these groups and their rights and responsibilities, and some guidelines for schools in their interaction and obligations when meeting with them.
Privacy in schools: a guide to the Privacy Act for principals, teachers and boards of trustees
This book, published by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, is available for download. Written by leading New Zealand privacy lawyer Kathryn Dalziel and published by the Privacy Commissioner, it gives practical advice to schools about how the Privacy Act works.
Bullying
This section gives some background to bullying in New Zealand schools and outlines some case studies of bullying, with some of the options available and legal advice.
Student management
Articles related to management of students.
Note: some articles previously in this section are being updated.
Personnel management
Articles related to personnel management.
School and community relationships
Articles related to school and community relationships.
Note: some articles previously in this section are being updated.
Resource management
Articles related to resource management.
Note: some articles previously in this section are being updated.
Teacher discipline
Serious misconduct and misconduct
There is no one way to approach disciplinary issues. However, the way you handle these difficult situations can have significant legal consequences for your institution. One important disclaimer: This is only a general overview. Specific matters should be referred to the New Zealand School Trustees Association or to your legal adviser.
The material for this folio was assembled by Simon Mitchell.
Workplace stress
Articles related to workplace stress.
Natural justice
The terms ‘natural justice’ or 'principles of natural justice' are often bandied around schools, particularly in relation to student disciplinary matters and employment issues.
Quasi-judicial officers
Articles related to quasi-judicial officers.
