Six pupils at top school suspended over drugs

SIX pupils at Belfast’s Campbell College have been suspended over incidents alleged to have involved cannabis. The boys in the private school were linked to two separate smoking cases before Easter. It is understood the PSNI was informed of the findings of an internal investigation. None of the boys have returned from the Easter holidays but all are expected to be allowed back to class after a period of disciplinary suspension. Headmaster Robert Robinson told parents: “We recently suspended six of our pupils due to two isolated incidents involving cannabis.” The school has taken advice from the PSNI, the Education Authority and Social Services.

MISCONDUCT

Mr Robinson sought to assure parents the policy on misconduct is robust and staff act in the interest of the safety of pupils. He said: “We wrote to parents before Easter to inform them of the suspensions and we will continue to work in collaboration with parents and the relevant bodies to help educate and support all our pupils as to the dangers of drugs. “As a school we believe in tackling these issues head on and we are not alone in this. We are facing a very real societal problem at present with young teens exposed to a multiple of evils, mostly fuelled via social media. “Recent news reports have highlighted the increasingly challenging world in which our young people exist and the PSNI and the Education Authority have both witnessed a surge in drugs related incidents. “Hence, the increasing need for all of us – schools, parents and the many organisations that work in this arena – to work together as we guide our young people towards making good choices.”

PROBE Campbell College