St Bede's controversy continues as board member quits

St Bede's College, the saga continues.

A St Bede's Board of Trustees member has quit in the wake of a rowing controversy involving two pupils.

The school announced on its website Steven Spencer had resigned from the board and last week was replaced by public relations specialist Tracey Chambers.

The resignation follows two of the school's rowing coaches resigning.

"I'd like to acknowledge Steven Spencer for his hard work and commitment to the school," board chairman Warren Johnstone said in the statement.

Both Alex Meates, rowing head coach, and David Lindstrom, coach of the U17 and U18 crews, confirmed to the Herald yesterday they would not return to the Christchurch school for another season following a fiasco at the national rowing regatta trip to the Maadi Cup.

Mr Lindstrom said the pair stepped down because of the school's reaction to an incident involving two student rowers breaching security at Auckland Airport.

Jack Bell, 16, and Jordan Kennedy, 17, were caught riding on a baggage conveyor at the airport's domestic terminal while en route to the rowing regatta at Lake Karapiro last week.

While Mr Lindstrom notified school rector Justin Boyle that the boys - who were given formal warnings by police and the Aviation Security Service - would race, the decision was overridden, he said.

St Bede's, which yesterday confirmed Jack and Jordan's parents were not taking further legal action, did not provide comment on Mr Meates' and Mr Lindstrom's resignations.

A statement on its website from Mr Johnstone said the rowing team was welcomed back to the school on Monday.

"There are also support plans in place for all of the boys and staff as required.

"All students have been reminded of the need to support all of their peers whatever their own views may be and allow proper processes to be followed."

The board and rector would also not be making any comments to the media about the situation, Mr Johnstone said.

"The Board is unanimous in its view that the first priority remains the well-being of the boys and continued media coverage and social media debate is causing additional stress for many of the boys, their parents, other students and the wider St Bedes community."

Mr Spencer, Mr Johnstone and Mr Boyle could not be reached for comment.