Principal accused of sunburn bribe

A Fairfield College student who is allergic to the sun says he was forced to stand outside for a school assembly despite twice telling principal Julie Small about his condition.

And, after his family complained to the school, Ms Small gave the student $50 – an action which his mother, Kylie Blacklaws, suggested looked like a bribe.

Last Thursday, Year 13 student Kieryn McLaren-Marsh came home from school in severe pain and, Mrs Blacklaws said, "as red as a lobster".

Kieryn said the next day he was called to a meeting with Ms Small, who told him she had not heard his requests to sit in the shade and that, at the end of the discussion, she gave him $50 to buy aftersun gel.

Kieryn said Ms Small was very apologetic and sympathetic during the meeting but he thought it was "a bit weird" that she had given him the money.

Ms Blacklaws said it seemed suspiciously like a bribe and said that the gesture was "insulting and wrong".

School commissioner Dennis Finn and Ms Small vehemently denied any allegations of bribery. Ms Small said it was simply a case of her caring for her student.

"We wanted to help him feel better over the weekend and ease his discomfort," she said.

Ms Small said the school had not been made aware of Kieryn's allergy, which requires him to apply factor 70 sunblock four times a day, and therefore it was not on his permanent record.

But Ms Blacklaws said she notified the school immediately after a doctor's visit last year.

Mr Finn said the issue had been "blown out of all proportion".

"We're talking about a Year 13 student who can take responsibility for himself."

Mr Finn said the school constantly promoted the message of sun safety, with sunblock and shaded areas available at all outdoor assemblies.

He said Ms Blacklaws was "carrying a grudge" after her son was not chosen as head prefect this year, but she said that was not the case.

When asked whether he thought it was appropriate for the principal to give cash to students, Mr Finn said he backed Ms Small's judgment to do everything in her power to deal with the situation.

Ms Blacklaws said Kieryn had received a written apology from Ms Small.

- © Fairfax NZ News