Wayne's world: It's school on Saturday

BY RACHEL YOUNG

Misbehaviour now carries a far heavier penalty at Marlborough Boys' College, with the introduction of Saturday classes for students who fall foul of school rules.

The scheme to deter bad behaviour was instigated at the start of the term by new principal Wayne Hegarty. The idea has been adopted from Rangiora High School, where Mr Hegarty was deputy principal before landing the top job at the boys' college.

He said the move had proved so popular with parents that some even wanted to enrol their sons in the Saturday classes.

Students, however, did not like having three hours of their weekend taken away from them or having to walk around in school uniform on a Saturday.

"It's a message that there will be a consequence," he said.

"It's a consequence that has more impact, I would suggest, than a lunchtime detention."

Mr Hegarty said standing students down was often seen as "cool" in students' eyes, as troublesome students were not required to attend school, whereas the new punishment structure held real repercussions – the "punishment fits the crime".

For example, if a student was caught vandalising property, he would be asked to help clean up the school. If it was a case of truancy, he was ordered to do class work.

Mr Hegarty said staff had been willing to help run the Saturday classes. To date, the special classes have been held most weekends, with anywhere between two and 10 boys in attendance.

Mr Hegarty said that if a student was involved in sport or had to work on a Saturday, a solution would be found.

The scheme only worked with the approval of parents, he said.

"The support from parents so far has been great. I've even had some parents ringing me asking if their kids could go to Saturday school."

Parent Evelyn McLean said the tougher penalty was a great way of disciplining students.

"I back him. I want him to give it a shot," she said.

Board of trustees chairman Phil Robinson said feedback showed that the Saturday classes were working well in terms of keeping bad behaviour in check.

"It's about them learning a lesson that they can't cross a line without having some consequences."

PTA president Jen Insley said she supported anything that would keep the boys on track.

She said the Saturday classes showed the students that there would be consequences for their actions, which was an improvement on past years.

Marlborough College Old Boys' Association member Richard Harvey said Saturday school was an "absolutely brilliant" idea.

"Saturday is their [students'] day, so hopefully by doing this they will learn to pull their heads in."

Year 13 student Jamie Hawke said he knew of boys caught fighting who had to do physical exercise as punishment.

"It's not worth getting in a fight or bullying anyone with that kind of stuff happening."

Fellow student Fraser Anderson said students were more respectful and took more pride in themselves and the school since Mr Hegarty started. The students liked him, as he spent time wandering the school talking with them.

Both agreed that Saturday school was a good idea.

Mr Hegarty said the school was focusing on respect, as students and staff had identified it as a key value.

- The Marlborough Express