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Bethlehem College Indicates They Won't Change a Goddamn Thing

A letter just sent to parents shows the school is digging its heels in.

David Farrier

— 2 min read
Bethlehem College Indicates They Won't Change a Goddamn Thing

Hi,

Bethlehem College has just sent out a statement to parents and caregivers indicating they won’t be changing a Goddamn thing.

The email was sent from principal Larne Edmeades:

Good morning Parents & Caregivers, 
 
Attached is the most recent communication from Mr Shakes in response to a statement from the Human Rights Commission around our legal obligations. 

Love and grace

The statement all boils down to one line, really:

“We believe we are adhering to all relevant legislation.”

So, I guess nothing is changing in regards to Bethlehem College’s active distain for the LGBTQI+ community — despite what the Ministry of Education has told them:

The Ministry of Education has confirmed that this statement was not included in the College’s Integration Agreement entered into with the Minister of Education in 1999. It has ordered the Principal, Board of Trustees and Deputy chair of the Christian Education Trust to remove point 13.

The letter — from Paul Shakes, who is still refusing to talk to me — rambles on, with the usual talking points, including this clanger:

We appreciate that, for some, Christian beliefs can feel personally hurtful. Our message to those people is that our intention is certainly not to be hurtful.

I feel like I’m being sucked into the hellscape of Arise Church all over again.

Please, Christians: If your intent is not to be hurtful — but you’re being hurtful — something is fundamentally broken.

I’ve included the full letter below — in which Shakes also comically says this:

“If there are people with hurts or concerns from their time at Bethlehem College, our message is to please be in touch directly so we can address them with you. Our heart and desire is to deal with complaints in an open and honest manner.”

Again — Paul: I am a person with a concern. I went to Bethlehem College. I am engrained on your school’s wall.

Head Boy 2000: David Farrier, on the plaque
Year 2000 - my name hasn’t been burnt off with acid just yet

Your desire to deal with complaints in an open and honest manner? You won’t even answer my emails.

"Hey Paul Haven't heard back from you. Let me know if you ever want to respond to anything given I am a New Zealand journalist - either now, or in future pieces."

I’ve included the full email sent from Bethlehem College to parents below.

Webworm has reached out to the Teachers Council and Ministry of Education about Bethlehem College essentially extending them the middle finger.

David.

We thank the Human Rights Commission for their work protecting the human rights of New Zealanders. We believe we are adhering to all relevant legislation, including the Human Rights Act and the Education and Training Act, and we are continuing to consult a range of resources, including material published by the Human Rights Commission. As the Human Rights Commission notes, it is lawful-and in fact mandatory--for religious state integrated schools, like Bethlehem College, to give preferential enrolment to students who have a connection to the religious special character beliefs of the school. Religious state integrated schools that have religious instruction as part of their special character also have a legal responsibility to ensure that religious instruction, in keeping with their special character, continues to form part of the school programme of education. As part of implementing our school's Christian special character, we strive to provide a loving and caring environment for all students, and we take seriously our duty to provide every child entrusted to us with the greatest level of care and protection. We think our Christian beliefs actually support and enhance the health and wellbeing of our students. As our most recent Education Review Office report notes, our special Christian character "contributes to a strong sense of wellbeing and belonging for students" We appreciate that, for some, Christian beliefs can feel personally hurtful. Our message to those people is that our intention is certainly not to be hurtful. We believe God loves them and desires only the absolute best for them. Our motivation for continuing to hold mainstream Christian beliefs is because we believe they lead to human wellbeing and flourishing. If there are people with hurts or concerns from their time at Bethlehem College, our message is to please be in touch directly so we can address them with you. Our heart and desire is to deal with complaints in an open and honest manner, exercising care to preserve relationships, grace, forgiveness and love.
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