Snells Beach School vandalism: Classrooms, devices and windows damaged

Snells Beach School suffers tens of thousands of dollars in damage during weekend spree. Photo / Google

An Auckland school suffered tens of thousands of dollars in damage after classrooms and technology were vandalised.

Snells Beach School principal Kathryn Ramel shared news of the damage on the school’s Facebook page.

“I need to let our parents, whānau and wider community know that Snells Beach School suffered fairly extensive vandalism late on Saturday afternoon,” she wrote.

“TVs and iPads were smashed, our high jump mat was slashed, windows were broken, fire extinguishers were discharged throughout classrooms, and there was significant additional damage.”

Ramel said police have identified those involved.

“They were local teenagers ... I can confirm that they have never attended either Snells Beach School or Horizon School,” she wrote.

“Students in Kahikatea Block will unfortunately begin the term with some windows temporarily covered with ply while we wait for custom safety glass to be manufactured and installed.”

Ramel thanked members of the local community who helped with the clean-up and secured the school before students returned.

“This is the first time we have experienced anything like this at SBS,” she said.

“It has been upsetting and demoralising, and we look forward to putting it behind us as we welcome our students back on Wednesday.”

Police said officers received a call on January 31 about 6pm with a report that people had broken into a classroom at a school on Dawson Rd and damaged property.

“Police have identified two young people in relation to the matter and they will undergo a youth process.”

A report released in August last year revealed that school vandalism has cost taxpayers $57 million since the start of 2020.

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