Some City Rise schools have warned pupils and their families about the presence of a child sex offender released into the community recently.
Kavanagh College sent a note to parents about the presence of the offender, who was being "rehabilitated back into our community area".
The Department of Corrections said the offender was subject to an extended supervision order (ESO) with 11 standard conditions and 13 special conditions including GPS monitoring and an order not to associate with anyone under the age of 16.
Corrections visited three schools this week to advise them about the presence of the offender.
Kavanagh College principal Tracy O’Brien said while it was not ideal the offender had been released into the school’s area, he understood the man had to be rehabilitated somewhere.
The notification was sent to parents to ensure pupils and families remained vigilant with the man in the area.
Corrections told him the man was living within a 1.5km radius of Kavanagh.
"I would rather be approached now rather than have an incident and know nothing about it," he said.
"It allows us to make sure our first line of defence is prepared and hopefully that’s all there will be about it."
Otago Girls’ High School principal Linda Miller said Corrections and the Ministry of Education visited the school on Wednesday.
The school asked for some material to provide to parents and would do so once Corrections had supplied it.
"It’s always a concern when someone like this is in the community, but the reality is there are people like this in the community anyway," she said.
Both principals were pleased Corrections had been forthcoming with the information.
However, the ODT was unable to establish last night if all schools and daycare centres in the area had been notified.
The notification sent to Kavanagh College families advised them it was "important that we as a school community reinforce and review our safe practices" to ensure children were "clear about safe practices walking to and from school", so parents knew which route the children took, children knew what time they would be dropped off and collected from school and they knew not to enter strangers’ cars.
Department of Corrections Otago district manager Raymond Clark said the offender was being closely monitored.
As well as notifying the schools, the man’s neighbours had also been advised.
"The offender is managed and monitored in the community by experienced probation staff, and subject to ongoing assessment to identify any likelihood of further offending and risk of harm to others.
"The offender has been made aware his neighbours have been advised of his return to the community. This can act as a deterrent to reoffending, as the offender is aware that their actions and behaviours are being scrutinised."
The offender could face two years’ jail for not complying with the conditions of his extended supervision order.
"Anyone with questions or concerns about the management of offenders in the community should contact their local community Corrections [office]," he said.
