Many Westlake Girls students are worried about the fate of the school ball. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Despite the threat of swine flu hanging over their school, it is the fate of the school ball that is worrying many Westlake Girls High School students.
The North Shore school plans to hold a joint Year 13 ball with Westlake Boys High on Saturday.
But many students are worried
that if the swine flu situation deteriorates, the ball might be called off.
"It'll be fine, unless a Year 13 boy from Westlake Boys asks a Year 12 girl from here, which inevitably they will, so there could be some upset," said Westlake Girls principal Alison Gernhoefer.
More than 400 Year 12 students have been advised to stay home after a pupil was confirmed as having swine flu.
Samantha Connor, a Year 13 student, said the ball was the highlight of the school year. "The ball is a big deal. We've been preparing for it for months."
Another student said most girls had spent money in preparation for the event. "We've all bought dresses, bought jewellery and everything."
Morgan Vincent, in Year 13, said she was not particularly worried about getting sick. "I think people are over-reacting, which is sort of a good thing, but it's not much of a big deal."
She said students from other years had come into contact with Year 12 students during a stage challenge last week and was also worried the ball could be cancelled.
Another Year 13 student, Christine Wilson, said she failed to see the logic of keeping the Year 12 students at home when they had been in contact with pupils from other years last week.
Parents dropped their children off outside the school yesterday just like any normal morning.
One parent, Abu Hoque, has a daughter in Year 9 at Westlake. He had heard the news about the Year 12 students the previous evening.
"Obviously we'll be in touch with the school to see what needs to be done."
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