North school's eye on strapping issue

A private school in Maungaturoto is keeping a close watch on an Auckland Christian institution's plan to strap students - despite corporal punishment being illegal in schools.
Otamatea Christian School principal Les Gribben said the school had its own discipline rules until an Education Review Office report nine years ago made it ditch the "corporal correction" policy - or lose its registration.
Mr Gribben said while there is no discipline problem, taking away the policy has changed the tone of the school.
"(Corporal correction) was quick. No one was angry and bashing kids. We spent a lot of time counselling before we used `the paddle'," he said.
"We've just got to work a bit harder now. We might just watch with interest what happens with Tyndale Park."
Auckland's Tyndale Park Christian School's "corporal correction" policy was revealed in the media last week. It acknowledges the Education Act forbids corporal punishment but quotes the Bible saying "we ought to serve God rather than men".
Parents are asked to allow school staff to administer corporal punishment, even though it is banned in schools.
The policy says the strap is given on the palm after consultation with another staff member, and in the presence of that person. Afterwards the child would be spoken to, prayed with, or both.
Bay of Islands College principal Bruce Devine said corporal punishment was inappropriate.
"We've got our own system in place now that puts the accountability and authority back with the teacher and student."
He said the school's latest draft Education Review Office report praised the way the school deals with bad behaviour.
Whangarei Boys' High School acting headmaster Geoff Seletto said the school's current system involving detentions and stand-downs worked well, and corporal punishment would not be considered.
"What works for the boys is very clear boundaries... and consistently applied consequences," he said.
The Education Review Office and the Ministry of Education said they were unaware of Tyndale Park's policy. Private schools were not obliged to show documentation or policies to government bodies.
Ministry of Education northern regional manager Bruce Adin said it was unclear whether the Tyndale Park document was legal but if school staff strapped a student it would be illegal.
Green MP and anti-smacking advocate Sue Bradford has called for a full Ministry of Education investigation into discipline at the school.
? A recent Ministry of Education report showed more than 1000 students were stood down from schools, some twice, across Northland last year. The number of stand-downs in Northland had remained fairly static since 2003 and the number of suspensions had fallen.
* Street POLL
Corporal punishment has been banned in New Zealand schools since 1989, but that isn't stopping Auckland's Tyndale Park Christian School asking parents for permission for staff to strap pupils. Should corporal punishment be brought back as a discipline tool in New Zealand schools? We took to the streets of Kamo to canvass opinion and wheedle out a few tales of school-day naughtiness.
? Roger Busch, semi-retired carpenter, Kamo
"Yes. If you fail to chastise your child he'll turn out to be a thorn in your side... you have to explain to them why you're punishing them, and show them the same amount of love. You've got to get the balance right.
"If it wasn't for corporal punishment, we'd be right little terrors. There were certain teachers that were experts at the job. I had a fountain pen that I treasured. We had a female teacher and I could shoot her up the stockings with the ink. It wasn't until I got the cane that I realised you can't go round behaving like that. The second or third time I got caned I had the gumption to stick a newspaper down my trousers. I got six of the best for the fountain pen job."
? Jane Ruys, merchandiser, Tikipunga
"I'm not really keen on it coming back. I got the strap a lot - four or five times. It was just so harsh back then. The reasons weren't good enough. I was bullied at school - when someone hit me, I hit them back."
? Phil Reynolds, head of social sciences, Kamo High School
"I don't think that violence should be part of our society in families or in schools. Certainly having it in schools would only encourage it in society."
? Les Mantold, retired, Kamo
"I don't mind if they do it because discipline nowadays is absolutely shocking. As discipline has got worse, the violence of kids has got worse: people didn't carry knives in our day.
"We had the cane and the strap at school but I never got it. I got caught chewing chewing gum at primary school and I thought the teacher was going to whack me but he must have seen the fear in my eyes."
? Ray Baker, retired, Kamo
"Yes. I think they're too lenient today, and the kids don't show enough respect these days.
"I wasn't really naughty. I did wag one day - I went swimming at the baths and didn't go back to school. That's the only time: It was a couple of whacks with the strap on the hand. But you respected every teacher you had. You didn't stand up and give lip - or free speech as they call it today."
? Rore Heperi, manager, Maunu
"If they deserve it, they should get the strap.
"I got the strap (at Northland College) for getting to school late or giving cheek to the teachers. You'd stand in front of the principal and you'd accept it - you didn't want to go back and get another dose of the supplejack. My brother used to push all the other boys ahead of us and by the time (the principal) got to us he was tired."