An Ashburton primary school teacher has been banned from teaching after swearing at students, mocking children with learning disabilities, and tearing up their schoolwork.
Wendy Hopwood, who taught at Tinwald School, was found to have repeatedly used offensive language and gestures toward her students between 2019 and 2021. She called one child a “crybaby” and told another, who had lost his pencil, that he did not “have the balls” to look at her. Witnesses also heard her call students “dummies” and “thick” on several occasions.
The Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal reviewed the case and has now cancelled Hopwood’s registration. The decision followed a formal investigation by the Teaching Council’s Complaints Assessment Committee.
Hopwood began teaching at Tinwald School in 2013. She resigned in December 2021 but later returned as a relief teacher. During her time at the school, her behavior reportedly caused serious harm to students.
One student with learning difficulties was left in tears after Hopwood mocked his reading skills. She told another girl to lose weight and told a different student after a fitness class, “You’re so overweight, you need to stop eating.”
Hopwood also humiliated a boy in front of the class. She said he “can’t read,” accused him of not taking his medication, and asked him what food he had at home. That student later told his teacher aide that he hated Hopwood and no longer wanted to attend school.
In a hearing held in March, Hopwood admitted to the misconduct. However, she claimed that when she used swear words in the classroom, they were not aimed directly at the students.
Despite this claim, the tribunal ruled that her behavior showed a clear and ongoing pattern of serious misconduct. It involved many students and continued over a long period.
The Complaints Assessment Committee said Hopwood’s actions damaged the emotional wellbeing and learning of several students. Many were left “visibly upset, scared, embarrassed, or emotionally distressed.”
The committee also noted that her refusal to support students with learning difficulties showed a lack of care for their needs and overall wellbeing.
As a result of the decision, Hopwood must also pay $4,000 in legal costs. Her most recent practicing certificate expired in September 2024 and was not renewed.
