An elite private school on Auckland’s North Shore has come under fire after 30 students turned up to school drunk for their last day.
More than 30 Year 13 Takapuna Grammar students spent last Friday drinking alcohol in the school common room as part of end of year celebrations.
A fellow student said they saw a number of senior students on the school grounds visibly drunk, according to the NZ Herald.
More than 30 Year 13 Takapuna Grammar (pictured) students spent last Friday drinking on school grounds as part of end-of-year celebrations
In a letter to parents, who pay approximately $15,000 NZD a year in fees, the school said it was ‘disappointed’ to learn some senior students had made ‘poor choices’.
‘I am deeply disappointed to inform you that today a significant number of Year 13 students have made poor choices that resulted in them breaking school rules and not living up to the school community’s expectations,’ the letter read.
‘This behaviour had been planned by the students, so they had plenty of opportunity to decide whether or not to go ahead or not with these arrangements.
‘These students went ahead regardless of the consequences.’
Principal Mary Nixon went on to say the behaviour had ‘tarnished’ the relationship staff had with students and cancelled further end-of-year celebrations.
However, an event planned for Monday was rescheduled to later in the week after Ms Nixon decided to honour students who made ‘good choices’.
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In a second letter to parents on Sunday, she said the school needed to send a ‘clear message’ to students on last week’s behaviour.
Principal Mary Nixon went on to say the behaviour had ‘tarnished’ the relationship staff had with students at the prestigious grammar school (pictured, stock photo)
‘I remind everyone that the priority for the school is the safety of our students and Friday’s events put students involved at risk and was a harmful example to the younger students observing the unacceptable behaviour of senior students.
‘We cannot condone such conduct and need to send a clear message to all our students to prevent others following this poor example,’ she said.
Ms Nixon added the school was ‘letdown’ students took advantage of their privileges but concluded those who did the right thing didn’t deserve to be punished.
An end-of-year BBQ will still be held with students who attended the event last Friday discouraged from going to the event.
Senior students at Takapuna Grammar have had a tough year after the private school only reopened for face-to-face learning to Years 11, 12 and 13 on October 26.
Auckland’s ongoing Covid-19 Delta outbreak had delayed the return as students faced increased pressure in the lead up to assessments and upcoming exams.
The institution had decided to remain closed after the government gave the green light for schools to reopen.
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