Racism alleged at leading high school

A teacher at a top Auckland high school has been ‘‘dealt with’’ after allegedly making disparaging comments towards Chinese students.

The teacher was accused of telling students at Westlake Boys High School on the North Shore to go back to their own country.

The teacher was also alleged to have called the students ‘‘idiots’’ with ‘‘rich parents’’.

In another incident, Pa¯keha¯ students were alleged to have punched a Chinese student and told him to ‘‘go home to Ching Chong-landia’’.

A video of the alleged incident was uploaded to the Chinese social media platform WeChat.

That and references to other incidents at the school have made local news headlines in China, amassing thousands of comments.

Westlake Boys High School principal David Ferguson said he was aware of the incident.

‘‘We have been working with the family of the student involved in the incident on the video and are continuing to offer our support.’’

A disciplinary process was under way involving the alleged bullies, he said.

‘‘Similarly, an occasion involving insensitive comments allegedly made by a staff member has also been dealt with, and all staff have been reminded of their duties around fairness and tolerance.

‘‘Our school has high expectations of all of our young men and all of our staff. Our goal always is to provide a safe and inclusive environment – based on respect for all cultures – so that all of our students without exception, can be successful.’’

The staff member had apologised to both the school and the students concerned, Ferguson said.

‘‘We do not believe that there is any chance of a similar mistake being made again.’’ Staff are ‘‘bewildered’’ as to why vandals broke into a Christchurch riding school at night and cut six horses’ tails. Craig Musson, managing director of the National Trade Academy at McLeans Island, where the Arion Riding Centre is based, said the September 5 break-in was the second affecting the property in two weeks. He said the horses were not used for competing, which ruled out sabotage by a fellow competitor. The hair was left in the paddock, so it was not cut to be used as false tails for show horses. Aminiature pony’s mane was cut off in a similar incident within the last fortnight.