Kids smash 134 school windows

Tauhara College had over 100 windows smashed by whom they expect to be younger children.

A Taupo secondary school has been left reeling after discovering more than 100 shattered windows around its premises.

Senior management at Tauhara College received a call from the school caretakers at the weekend reporting 134 smashed windows.

Principal Peter Gould said police had caught the culprits, who were a group of at least three primary school-aged children.

"We haven't received an official police report but we understand the oldest of the children was 8."

He said it was not the first time young children had been caught at the school.

"We don't believe the school has been targeted with sinister intentions.

"In the past we have had children playing on the roof so it is likely this time they decided to take it a step further and smash in all the windows.

"Given the windows had been shattered, not just cracked, we believe the children would have used a heavy object."

Mr Gould said the clean up process and cost was an undesired distraction.

"At this stage we are thinking the clean up will cost between $4000 and $5000, there was glass all through the classrooms and electronics.

"We are disappointed to say the least. We are always trying to improve the school and focus on student achievement so this setback is a distraction."