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Iain McGregor / Stuff
Christchurch Boys’ High School principal Nic Hill said the end-of-school joke gone wrong could have ended with “tragic consequences.” (File photo).
The principal of a Christchurch boys’ school says that an end-of-the-year prank gone wrong, which ended with a student being hit by a vehicle, could have had “tragic consequences.”
Christchurch Boys’ High School (CBHS) principal Nic Hill said a group of 13-year-olds chased and threw water balloons and eggs at 11-year-olds just before 1 p.m. Wednesday.
One of the boys was chased on Straven Rd outside the school, where one Ute struck another with the top of his foot, while the other student was “thrown” with eggs.
Hill said the students were “lucky” that they only received a few bruises and were not seriously injured, but both were in shock.
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“Physically he (the student hit by the vehicle) is fine with some bruises, but obviously he was scared as well as the driver and the spectators.
“We are very lucky. There is a lesson for children that a split second of poor judgment can have bad consequences, and we were very lucky we didn’t. “
Hill said he was “appalled” to learn of the students’ “disrespectful” behavior and sent an email to parents Wednesday and called all students to an assembly Thursday morning.
Iain McGregor / Stuff
Hill said he was “dismayed” to learn of the students’ “disrespectful” behavior and emailed parents Wednesday and called all students to an assembly Thursday morning. (File photo).
“I spoke to the children about being ashamed and ashamed that they were disappointed … and the reason I spoke with the whole school is so that the whole school gets the message that this stops.”
He said 30 students showed up at his office after the assembly to apologize for chasing the students and a few others apologized for being bystanders and not intervening to stop him.
One student who was involved had been pulled from the school by his parents, but no one else had been officially disciplined, he said.
“We have not made any final decisions and it will be very process driven.”
JOSEPH JOHNSON / THINGS
Two CBHS students were removed and temporarily suspended from playing rugby after a fight during a rugby match against rival Christ’s College boys’ school in July. This photo was taken in 2019 at last year’s match.
In his email to parents, Hill said he was “shocked” and that the students’ behavior was “not defensible” and that “serious consequences” were not ruled out.
“Despite ongoing messages calling for an end to this type of behavior, a core group of students have blatantly ignored it and let us down.
“We have asked the children to be respectful and decent, and I am appalled at the behavior of one group today (Wednesday),” Hill wrote.
“This behavior must stop. It does not reflect the values of the school and this is the message that will be communicated ”.
In July, two CBHS students were removed and temporarily suspended from playing rugby after a fight during a rugby match between rival Christ’s College boys’ school.
Hill said there have been no other cases of physical confrontations between students since the incident.
