28 Aug 2012

College supporting Pamapuria School pupils

5:40 am on 28 August 2012

Kaitaia College is taking action to support pupils who may have been targeted by paedophile James Parker.

Parker, 37, is in custody awaiting sentence on 49 charges of sexual offending against boys at nearby Pamapuria Primary School, where he taught. He pleaded guilty in Kaitaia District Court on 22 August.

College principal William Tailby says there have been rumours former Pamapuria pupils now at the college have been taunted about his actions.

Mr Tailby said the college has to do all it can to help those boys, while at the same time respecting their privacy.

He said the Ministry of Education had given the college extra resources for guidance counselling, to handle the fallout from Parker's offending.