By CATHY ARONSON
One of the teenagers who burned down Hamilton's Fraser High School gym has broken his silence to apologise for what he says has changed his life forever.
The 16-year-old told the Herald yesterday that the fire haunted him and "I have lost all those who mean so much
to me".
One of three teenagers who have pleaded guilty to starting the fire, he apologised to the school assembly yesterday.
He could not explain why he helped burn down the $3.5 million gym two months ago, except to say, "I buckled to peer pressure. I was caught up in the moment".
He said that before the fire on August 11 he had never been in trouble and always had good grades.
"The school I loved so much is now a hostile environment for me."
He had planned to go to university and work towards a career in electronics but now he says his future is a "blur".
He is studying school certificate by correspondence.
Yesterday, he stood in front of 900 students at Hamilton's Fraser High to apologise and explain.
One of the other teens told the assembly his action resulted from drug use and his wanting to be cool. He said he did not realise the pain the arson would cause.
Another, head low, said she did not know why she had done it.
The 16-year-old boy said: "You need to hear how we are feeling or it will eat us inside out, so I ask you to allow me to express how sympathetic and apologetic I am, and in turn allow you to vent your anger."
He said he had made many enemies and he was not proud of what he had done.
He found it scary and unusual to apologise, because he had never been in trouble before.
Since the fire he had been threatened and bullied but more distressing was that his friends and family had been harassed. "They do not need your anger."
The students listened to his apology in stony silence. Afterwards, most told the Herald they felt he was sincere but still did not forgive him.
"It was good to hear," said fifth-former Haley Seymour. "We understand more now and won't judge him any more. But we can't forgive him - he burned down our gym and an apology doesn't change that."
Fourteen-year-old Brad Russell said he forgave the boy but did not think the others were genuine.
"It would have taken guts. I think he realised what he's done wrong. I think he really meant it."
Most of the students said they had been affected by the fire but it had brought the staff and students closer together.
"It really hurt us," said one student. "We used to think Mr Elliott [the principal] was just strict but now we know he is just so passionate about the school. We all like him now."
On the night of the fire, Martin Elliott was in tears as he watched the new gym burn to the ground.
He had recommended to the family group conference following the arrests that the teens apologise.
He said the assembly was like a funeral for the students.
"It was like a death. The kids just wanted to know why."
Sergeant Lance Tebbutt, of Hamilton youth aid, said the victims needed answers and the offenders needed to face their victims.
"It brings home the effect their actions have on other people and hopefully prevents them from doing it again."
The three teenagers are due to appear in the Youth Court today.
A fourth teenager, a 16-year-old girl, has not admitted the charge of arson and has been remanded until late this month.
The school has received $500,000 in donations towards a new $4 million gym.
The facility is due to be built by the end of the first term next year.
By CATHY ARONSON
One of the teenagers who burned down Hamilton's Fraser High School gym has broken his silence to apologise for what he says has changed his life forever.
The 16-year-old told the Herald yesterday that the fire haunted him and "I have lost all those who mean so much
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