Readers speak out over school ball controversy

Rangitoto College's decision has sparked a parental backlash. One parent has promised to stage a 'bigger, better' ball next year. File photo / Hawke's Bay Today

High school students and some parents are warning that school after-balls can't be banned, as schools can't control what people do in their own time.

In a lively Your Views debate following Rangitoto College's action on school balls, several students write that formal school balls are "lame", so they need an after event to let off steam.

One Rangitoto College student who attended the after-ball said the event was "fun and completely safe" and the school was making such a big deal about nothing.

"Cancelling the balls is just going to make the students rebel even more. There will be a ball next year whether the college organises it or not."

Pete Curtin, of Palmerston North, is typical of those pushing the view that there is no way a school board should have anything to do with the private lives of pupils and their parents.

"We live in a democracy, not a dictatorship. As an employer, it would be similar to me informing my employees that they could not go out drinking or partying after a work function.

"For schools to try and blackmail parents and students into not holding after-balls is ridiculous."

Parents and some students are also angry that they will pay the price for the actions of others in organising or attending the after-ball event.

Jo Loader of Rothesay Bay, describing herself as a responsible parent of a year 11 student, said that if an after-ball was a private event, then the school has no say in it and no rules were broken.

"I am incensed that my child will miss out on her school ball due to the actions of others. This is a very grey area and needs careful handling. Surely there must be a more appropriate punishment for those involved. Whatever happened to justice for the innocent?"

Other readers have given their full support to the Rangitoto College headmaster. A "Mum of six" from Manukau City said the issue was about standards as the legal age for buying alcohol was 18 years.

"The vast majority of those kids are under-age. What message are those irresponsible parents sending their kids? First they lie to the school. Then they supply alcohol to minors."

A parent of former Rangitoto students said she couldn't believe that a responsible parent would help young people get started on drinking so young in a climate where young people consider binge drinking the rule rather than the exception in many high school groups.

Saying the headmaster had taken the right stand she said: "If he had been less firm, we should have been blaming him and worrying about his care for young people."

A North Shore teacher, Johannes Larsen, thought a small group of "prudish" parents and caregivers were blowing things out of proportion.

"My experience from 25 years of teaching is that if you involve the students and give them responsibilities, they are more likely to give it a fair shot. There will always be 'idiots' around looking for trouble. Involving the teens in the planning and running of the events plus have adult supervision will create the most safe environment and circumstances for a party. The parties are going to happen anyway."

- NZ HERALD STAFF