Kelston's rugby brawlers to admit sins in assembly

Auckland Grammar students involved in the brawl were given counselling. Photo / Murray Job, Sky Sport

Five Kelston Boys' High 1st XV players suspended after a schoolboy rugby brawl will confess their sins at a school assembly as one of the punishments meted out by the school board.

Meanwhile, their Auckland Grammar counterparts must perform three acts of contrition, one of which has already been completed and another that can be performed in their own time.

The Kelston five - and two Second XV players - were handed the penalties at a Tuesday meeting of the board's disciplinary subcommittee. The students had been suspended since the August 15 brawl, but the board allowed them to return to school on strict conditions. The 1st XV players must explain to the assembly why the actions they took were inappropriate and explain what the impact has been.

Board chairman Richard Wood said this would be done "with a view to discouraging other boys from making similar mistakes".

"At the hearings all the boys involved confirmed the accuracy of the charges against them, expressed their remorse and accepted the need for resulting consequences from their actions.

"The board found the charges of gross misconduct proven in all cases. However ... the board lifted the suspensions on all boys but imposed significant conditions for their return to school."

Both groups would also have to carry out community work at the Waikumete Cemetery, attend anger management courses and be placed on good behaviour bonds.

Auckland Grammar, which has until now remained silent on its four students' punishments, said the boys last week participated in a counselling and mentoring programme at school.

On Monday they were enrolled in a self management/goal setting course at the Auckland University of Technology, to be completed in their own time.

Board chairman Rob Kirkpatrick said the course would "help them in their sporting and life development going forward, and should ensure there will be no repetition of such behaviour".

The students will also do community service during the mid-term break.

"The board believes this punishment is far more appropriate, constructive and meaningful and has a more beneficial impact on the boys concerned, than a stand-down or suspension from school," Mr Kirkpatrick said.

An Auckland Rugby Union judicial hearing has already banned five boys from playing rugby for periods ranging from 45 to 71 weeks.

The punishments attracted criticism after the Auckland Grammar students received bans of only six weeks. Kelston principal Steve Watt said the school had lodged the appeals on the grounds that the penalties were manifestly excessive.

* The punishments

KELSTON BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL

The five 1st XV players must:

Address school assembly to explain why their actions were inappropriate.

Complete eight hours' of community service at Waikumete Cemetery and a further eight hours at the school.

Attend anger management sessions.

Participate in mentoring sessions.

Sign good behaviour contracts.

The two 2nd XV players must:

Perform eight hours' community service at Waikumete Cemetery and 16 hours at the school.

Attend anger management course.

Participate in mentoring sessions.

Complete six months on a good behaviour bond.

Be placed on a "daily conduct book".

AUCKLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Four students must:

Complete a counselling and mentoring programme at school (completed last week).

Enrol in an AUT self-management/goal setting course to complete at their leisure.

Perform community service during the school's two-day mid-term break.