Questioning at school What is questioning at school? I was questioned by the guidance counsellor, will they tell other people? What happens if I’m questioned by the principal, deputy principal or dean? Can the school ask a police officer to question me?
Questioning at school usually happens when a school thinks a student knows about, or has done, something inappropriate or against the rules in the school environment.
Most questioning at school will be from a teacher, and be related to day-to-day things like school work or attendance. Other times, questioning might be from someone more senior (like a dean or principal), and be about a more serious incident.
Sometimes, a police officer or an Oranga Tamariki worker might come into a school to question students about behavioural or care and protection issues.
The guidance counsellor is usually there to help students. Their role is to talk through problems students are having so that they can help the students fix their problems and help them feel emotionally supported.
At a first meeting with a guidance counsellor, it is a good idea for the counsellor to tell the student what will and will not be kept private — guidance counsellors have to keep almost everything students tell them private, unless they tell the counsellor that someone is in danger or will be in danger.
You don’t have to tell guidance counsellors anything, but they are usually trying to help you. If you are uncertain about your privacy, you should discuss this with the guidance counsellor at your first meeting.
The principal, deputy principal, or dean might question you about misconduct, especially a serious incident of misconduct. There is no law that says that you must answer any questions, but if you decide not to answer their questions, you could still be disciplined. They can also ask other students and staff about the incident and come to a decision based on that.
While the principal has the power to take you out of class and question you in their office, if you feel upset or uncomfortable, you can ask the principal to contact your parents or someone else to support you. Legally, the principal must tell your parent(s) if there are any problems that are negatively affecting your education, so they should be informed whether you ask the principal to contact them or not.
If a school thinks a crime has taken place at or near the school, the police might be called to question any students who might have been involved. The police might also investigate anything that has happened out of school hours. The police officer might or might not be in uniform. You have extra rights if you are under 17 and being questioned by police as a suspect. Usually, the police are called if something very serious happens — otherwise, issues are usually handled within the school.