School yet to decide on Facebook action

Relevant offers

Education

Call for curbs on school exclusions $51 million university hall in hot demand Pub owners give up, open kindergarten Sex attacks turn eye on school bullying Associate head quits after response criticised Wellington schools feel pressure as rolls swell Principal resigns over national standards Mum cops $200 fine for truant daughter UCOL appeals Palmerston North plan Massey gets four-star rating

Burnside High School has yet to decide if it will discipline a year 12 pupil who created an internet page inciting hatred against the new principal.

The was called to the second principal's office yesterday for a talk about his actions.

The pupil created a group called "I hate Burnside's new principal!!!" on social networking site Facebook that attracted threatening and defamatory comments about principal Warwick Maguire and criticised changes he has made at the school.

The comments have prompted a police investigation.

The number of members in the group has soared to more than 300, but is now getting comments from people who support Maguire. A rival group has also been created, called "Warwick Maguire is a great principal and a good man".

Maguire, 54, became Burnside's principal last November after 16 years heading Wanganui High School. He was still on leave yesterday.

Second principal Sandra Sidaway said yesterday she was calling the pupil who created the page into her office.

"I'm intending to see the young man and have a little talk to him about what his motivation was, where he got his information and why he's chosen this avenue."

Sidaway said she would talk to Maguire before a decision was made whether to discipline the boy. Maguire is due back at the school tomorrow.

Senior Sergeant Pete Stills, of the Papanui police, said police were still investigating the threats and wanted to talk to Maguire before taking any action.

Sidaway said Burnside prided itself in welcoming newcomers and was disappointed at the actions of a few students.

"It must be hurtful for him [Maguire]. It's been a big upheaval to leave a school where he's been a very successful principal and move his whole family down here."

Some of the comments on the site about changes at the school, including a plan to revoke the right of year 13 pupils to wear mufti from next year, were wrong, she said.

Comments that year 11, 12 and 13 students could no longer study at home on Monday and Friday mornings were also incorrect, she said. "There's some real mischief-making going on on behalf of just a few students."

Lunchtime had been cut by five minutes to 55 minutes to extend form time from 10 to 15 minutes, Sidaway said. she was not sure whether Maguire had insisted that pupils stood up when he entered the room, which was another complaint from some students.

Stuart Wise, of Canterbury University's College of Education, said pupils had to abide by the regulations set by the school. "If you don't like it, the way to discuss it is to engage with the principal in a formal matter, not in an online chat. Personally, I think that's hugely inappropriate and dangerous."

- © Fairfax NZ News