No after-ball venue prompts students' fears

Rotorua Girls' High School students are worried teens could end up dead or in hospital without a safe environment after their school ball.

For the last two years, Year 13 students from Rotorua Girls' High School have organised successful alcohol and drug-free after-ball parties.

This year, things are not working out. The school's SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) committee wanted to organise another alcohol and drug-free party after their underwater-themed ball at the school's arena on June 23.

Spokesperson Sandra Mattler, 17, said after two months of ringing hotels, rugby clubs and Event Venues, they still didn't have a site.

Sandra believed people were not prepared to hire out their venues for after parties because of a perception that youth parties were out of control following a recent Christchurch party where two girls were killed.



"It's taken away that option of doing something safe," Sandra said. She was now worried students would hold parties with alcohol, which could lead to dangers such as drink spiking, drink driving and drugs.

"There're so many consequences of drinking. Who knows what can happen, someone might end up in a car crash and someone might end up in hospital."

Event Venues Rotorua operations manager Crispian Stewart said their sites were unsuitable because their finishing time was midnight, which was often when such parties started.

The school ball season starts in Rotorua this week and Rotorua principals hope it passes without tragedy.

Rotorua principals say students and parents know what is expected of them at the balls. It's the parties afterwards that concern them.

Rotorua Girls' High School principal Annette Joyce said she was always worried about students during ball season, especially without the alcohol and drug-free after party. She was worried students would attend unsafe parties.

"I do think it's a really dangerous way to go," Mrs Joyce said.

John Paul College's school ball is tomorrow and principal Patrick Walsh said after parties had nothing to do with the school.

He urged anyone organising one to ensure police were notified, that they had security, keys were taken from drivers and alcohol was not provided.

Rotorua Lakes High School principal John Ellis says he's always relieved when the ball season ends without incident. He had a message for young people.

"Be safe, be honest with your parents as to where you are going and look after each other," Mr Ellis said.

Rotorua Boys' High School principal Chris Grinter worried about students at ball season just as much as he did at any time of the year. "Concerns need to be expressed and care exercised at all times in the social lives of our young people," Mr Grinter said.

Rotorua police do not beef up staff numbers during ball season but always have extra staff during the weekends.

Acting Inspector Greg Sparrow said if police knew about after parties they warned organisers that they'd be shut down if there was trouble.

He said police would be targeting people who breached the city's liquor ban this weekend because liquor was the main cause of violent crime.

He urged young people to be smart when it came to drinking.

"The worst job a policeman can do is to tell parents that their children will never ever come home again," he said.