Mount Maunganui College teacher Hamish John Lacey censured for drunken assault on colleague

A Mt Maunganui teacher has been censured for an assault on a colleague. Photo / File

A spot of sub-par rapping at an end-of-year party led to a drunken Mount Maunganui College teacher pummelling a colleague on the ground.

Hamish John Lacey, who was teaching at the school last year, did not stop assaulting the victim until another staff member kicked him in the head.

No students were present for the assault, which happened when a group of teachers, including Lacey, were drinking alcohol and a band was playing at an end-of-year function at the school last December.

According to a summary of facts released by the New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal, when the band finished playing, Lacey got up and rapped songs over the PA system to comments of "twat" and "I hate that f***ing guy" from two colleagues.

"The respondent made comments in 'rap style' along the lines of 'do ya wanna roll'," the summary said.

The party moved to the home of another teacher, where staff continued drinking, and Lacey continued rapping.

"His singing was again the subject of critical comments."

Lacey first responded with humorous comments, but then began calling one staff member a "pussy" and said "let's roll".

It was then that another teacher punched Lacey in the chest.

"Observers described the punch as weak, coming from a drunk man and looking as though it missed," the summary said.

Lacey knocked the staff member to the ground and continued punching him about the head and face as the victim tried to shield himself.

"Other people present pulled the respondent away, although he resisted attempts to get him to cease by three female staff until he was kicked in the head by another staff member."

The victim suffered scratches and bruising.

After the attack, Lacey and the victim had little memory, if any, of what happened, except that each had used "provocative and goading language" against the other.

Lacey accepted full responsibility, apologised to other staff, and now maintains a "respectful collegial relationship" with the victim with no bad feelings.

Lacey lost his role as dean, had alcohol counselling, and sought counselling for his behaviour.

The principal stands by Lacey, describing him as a "wonderful practitioner" with a bright future in teaching.

The tribunal censured him, annotated the register, ordered that Lacey inform any employer of the incident for a year, and ordered him to pay half of the costs for the case.

Censure for teacher hitting student with laptop cover

A teacher who tripped on a student's items then hit him over the head with a soft-shelled laptop case has been censured.

The teacher was due to have hip surgery and suffered significant pain when she tripped in the classroom and hit her hip on the corner of the desk.

She hit the boy over the head several times with the laptop cover, and told him she could sue his family.

Soon after, the teacher worked to mend the rift between herself and the boy, and apologised to his parents. However she did not report the matter to the principal and did not consider any further action needed to be taken.

The tribunal censured her for serious misconduct and ordered she undertake supervision for 12 months. Reports will be made to the Education Council every six months.

Teacher denies slapping student on face

A teacher denies slapping a student in the face, but the tribunal has found he did it.

Kenneth Mark Jennings was accused by the Complaints Assessment Committee of slapping the Year 7 boy on the cheek.

Jennings said he simply put his arm out to redirect the boy who was "barging" towards a dangerous area, but the tribunal did not believe the explanation and said the weight of the evidence was against him.

The Tribunal censured Jennings and ordered he pay 60 per cent of costs. As his practising certificate has expired, the tribunal ordered he complete a professional development programme before he reapply.