Truancy prank cuts school rolls

By THERESA GARNER

A radio DJ wreaked havoc with school attendance by encouraging children to skip school as part of a fictitious National Wagging Day.

Truancy officers and school principals say the comments on Channel Z were irresponsible - and decimated rolls on Friday, March 24. One school reported losing half of its fifth form.

Announcer Martin Bradbury, known to listeners as Bomber, made the comments during his 9 pm to 1 am Sunday slot. It is understood he later received a written warning for making the comments without the station's approval.

James Cunneen, a student support coordinator for North Shore schools, said he was still dealing with the effects. "I've been with one boy this morning who was up before the school board - he was already on warnings.

"There were 30 boys from one school down at Takapuna quarry. Four or five were clients and one was stood down for the latest incident, and his parents were ready to kick him out.

"It's not up to this Bomber to pick up the pieces if they get suspended."

Mr Cunneen said he had talked to four North Shore high schools that were affected.

"I felt a lot of the kids were duped into thinking this was a serious thing. But it was a creation in the mind of this idiot."

Channel Z chief executive Brent Impey said the station did not know until after the event. He had spoken to Bradbury, who told him he got the idea from Canada.

"Obviously it's caused concern from a number of schools, and they have correctly complained to the radio station. There isn't a lot we can do, other than apologise."

Bomber was a popular talk host with young people, he said. "There are times when he has been controversial; he hits the line. It's just a matter of judgment, and on this occasion he went further than I would have liked."

Twenty pupils from Henderson High School said their absence was due to the broadcast.

Principal Owen Hoskin said radio station broadcasts conveyed a ring of officialdom to young people. "That's all they need to give a stamp of approval to their truancy."

He decided against complaining to the Broadcasting Standards Authority after talking to Mr Impey. "I have his assurance that no irresponsibility in any shape or form towards school students would occur again through his radio station."

Takapuna Grammar deputy principal Carol Lloyd said she had spoken to Mr Impey. "I believe that throughout the week they tried damage control, but it spread like wildfire among the children."

There are strong links between truancy, youth offending and underachievement, and taxpayers spend more than $5 million a year on national truancy services.

Channel Z, part of the CanWest stable, broadcasts in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.