Boys kicked out of top high school

Three students from a top Auckland school have been expelled for “physical assault” after a hazing incident during a school sports tournament.

The assault allegedly involved a young team member being burnt with an iron by older team- mates as part of an initiation at the tournament.

Hazing is the act of using abuse or humiliation as a way of initiating a person into a group.

It is understood the boy was hurt and couldn’t compete for one day because of the injury.

The Ministry of Education confirmed yesterday that three students over the age of 16 had been expelled.

“We have been notified by the school that three students were expelled for physical assault,” said spokesperson Katrina Casey.

Expulsion differed from exclusion in that expelled students were over 16. If a child was excluded the school was required to help find another school.

The school, which the Weekend Herald has decided not to name to protect the victim, confirmed the expulsions last night.

In a statement, it said the family of the injured boy would not be making a formal complaint. It said the student was a friend of the three who had been expelled.

“Our priority, first and foremost, is the wellbeing of our students and their families. The college sets high standards and strives to develop successful, well- grounded students,” said the board chair’s statement.

“This incident is distressing and disappointing, but it is important to respect the privacy of the students involved. We will not be making any further comment.”

A police spokeswoman said no complaint had been received in relation to the incident, but encouraged any victims of crime to speak to police.

Parents spoken to by the Weekend Herald were relieved to hear the school had expelled the boys, but were disappointed with the way the school handled the incident and the way it had “shut down” about the assault.