Students from Auckland’s Mt Albert Grammar claim final days of term cut to avoid ‘prank day’

Mt Albert Grammar School in Auckland.

Students from schools at the opposite ends of the North Island are outraged after their final days were allegedly cut short in an impromptu assembly to avoid “prank day”.

One senior student from Mt Albert Grammar School, who wished to remain anonymous, said they felt they had been stripped of a “very sentimental and important time” in their lives after their time was cut short at an impromptu assembly today.

However, the school’s principal said the date had been confirmed “since the beginning of the year”.

Speaking to the Herald, the students said the cancellation came as a surprise to all pupils, who were called into a spontaneous assembly.

Many students left the assembly feeling hurt and confused, as did many teachers who were allegedly not informed of the sudden cancellation, they claim.

“Many of us have now lost the opportunity to say goodbye to friends in other year levels who we will likely never see again,” a student said.

The student theorised the cancellation was a pre-emptive measure to stop the students from participating in the pranks commonly associated with the school’s final days.

The students emphasised they personally were not involved in any planned pranks. Any pranks they had heard of involved “funny, harmless posters” around the school and a water fight involving small water guns.

They acknowledged students from previous years had participated in more extreme pranks, such as setting off fireworks or egging the school, but they felt they should not be punished for the action of a “select few past students”.

Another student, who also wished to remain anonymous, said the lack of communication to students and teachers showed a “lack of respect and appreciation”.

“All we want is for our last day not to be cancelled and to be able to say a proper goodbye to our teachers,” the student said.

Both students acknowledged they intended to attend senior prize-giving on Monday, but said they were unsure if all their teachers would be there and they believed they were not being given their full high school experience.

Mt Albert Grammar School principal Patrick Drumm disputed the students’ claims. “This date has been confirmed as their final day since the beginning of the year.

“Our senior students are utilising this time of the year to balance academic study along with the large number of celebratory events that are part of the year’s end,” Drumm said.

“A large number of senior students will return to school over the remainder of this week for tutorials and workshops in final preparations for the upcoming NCEA examinations.”

On the school’s website, it does not say today was the expected end of the school year for senior students.

Another school at the other end of the country also cancelled classes early to avoid the notorious prank day.

A student from St Mary’s College in Wellington told the Herald the year 13s were gathered together on Wednesday afternoon to be told “study leave” was starting early. Just like Mt Albert Grammar, no reason was given.

“This suspension caused most of us girls to be in tears and so disappointed with the school,” the student said.

“When we asked questions as to when we will do our internals we still had to complete and mock exams they told us we were not allowed on school premises.”

Another student said it was “extremely upsetting” to cancel the fun activities they had planned, none of which included defacing the school.

“One of our Year 13 students even came back from a family emergency to enjoy her final days as a college student and broke down when she heard the news,” the student claimed.

St Mary’s College has been approached for comment.

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.