DOCS discontinues abuse investigation

The parent of a student who she alleges was physically assaulted by Terry Neal in May last year has told Carenne Gate that the Department of Community Services has discontinued its investigation after being unable to prove that he abused her son.

The parent claims that her son came home from Carenne one day and had bruises on his leg. When the parent called Yvette Smith, who she was friends with at the time, she was told her son had been hit on the leg with a bat by Terry Neal when he wouldn't do an activity in the mini-gym.

The parent reported it to Neil Moon, who told her she was a liar before then reporting it to DOCS. She was advised by the Allegations Against Employees Unit this week that DOCS had been unable to find any witnesses and had decided to discontinue the investigation.

It is yet another example of the abuse inflicted on students at Carenne Special School and the entrenched culture of silence.

Nepotistic staffing continues at Carenne Special School

Over the past several months, allegations about nepotism in staffing at Carenne Special School and the failure to follow merit selection procedures has surfaced. These claims have been been strengthened by the appointment of Karina Mollenkamp and Yvette Smith to permanent teacher's aide positions.

The appointment came as no surprise, on February 7 it was posted on this blog that these two aides would be given permanent positions, before the interviews were even held. Carenne Special School staff were not at all surprised when it was announced yesterday that they would be taking up permanent positions after being successful in the interview process.

Staff claim that Lee Churches told them that the selection process had already been sewn up, as her and the executive wanted Molenkamp and Smith because they can be trusted. Molenkamp is a close friend to a number of staff at Carenne Special School, which is how she got the casual job there to begin with. Smith is a close friend of two members of the Carenne Special School executive.

Staff believe that both aides were not the best choice for the job, claiming they have less skills and experience than other candidates. They claim it is yet another example of Carenne Nepotism.