An Ashburton primary school teacher who swore at pupils, gave them the middle finger, ripped up their work, and mocked children with learning disabilities will no longer be able to teach.
Wendy Hopwood called one child a “crybaby”, told another he did not “have the balls” to look at her after losing his pencil, and was seen calling pupils “dummies” or “thick” on multiple occasions.
Her conduct between 2019 and 2021 was scrutinised by the Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal which today released its decision to cancel her teaching registration.
Hopwood had worked at Tinwald School since 2013, resigning in December 2021 and then returning as a relief teacher.
She was charged with “serious misconduct” by the Teaching Council, who set up a Complaints Assessment Committee to investigate the misconduct on the behalf of the council.
The decision read that one pupil with learning difficulties was left in tears after Hopwood made fun of his reading ability.
Hopwood told one girl she needed to lose some weight and another stay behind after a fitness class to tell her “you’re so overweight, you need to stop eating”.
Another boy was mocked in front of the class by Hopwood, who said he “can’t read”, that he had not had his medication, and asked what food he had at home.
The boy later told his teacher aide that he hated Hopwood and did not want to come to school.
Hopwood admitted the charges at a hearing in March but said that, when she swore in the classroom, it was not directed at the students.
The tribunal found Hopwood’s conduct consisted of a “highly inappropriate” pattern of behaviour over a lengthy period involving multiple students.
The Complaints Assessment Committee submitted that Hopwood’s conduct adversely affected the wellbeing and learning of many students, leaving them “visibly upset, scared, embarrassed or emotionally distressed”.
“This conduct perpetuated an environment where children were afraid to share their work or make mistakes.
“Further, Mrs Hopwood’s refusal to help students with learning difficulties demonstrates a clear disregard for the wellbeing of students and for specific learning needs.”
Hopwood was ordered to pay $4000 in legal costs in addition to the cancellation of her registration.
Her most recent annual practicing certificate expired in September 2024 and was not renewed.