Pupils invade rival Porirua college

BY PAUL EASTON

Last updated 05:00 03/09/2009

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Students armed with a baseball bat stormed a rival college in Porirua, and police had to be called in to break up the clash.

The school invasion happened just after lunchtime yesterday. About 20 boys, believed to be from Mana College, went to Bishop Viard College, threatening students on the rugby field.

"They came on to our property, and they should not have been there. It was a potentially threatening situation," said Bishop Viard College principal Hedley Aitken.

"It was dispelled quickly, and we're working with the police and Mana College to resolve any issues."

The "stand-off" did not become a full-blown brawl, though punches may have been thrown, he said. Relations between the schools were normally good.

Police spokesman Inspector Ian Harris said officers were called to a report of a fight on the rugby field at Bishop Viard College at 12.20pm. A baseball bat was believed to have been involved.

Mana principal Mike Webster could not be reached last night.

On Monday a 14-year-old pupil was attacked by eight youths armed with a softball bat in his Lynfield College classroom in Auckland.

Most of the group were understood to be from Mt Roskill Grammar.

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