Curro Nelspruit has expelled some grade nine learners who had been found with alcohol in their possession before a school camp.
Headmaster, Mr Andrew Collie said he did not prejudge the matter, but asked, “If your child was the culprit or the victim in this case, what would you want to be done?” The disciplinary investigations were completed on Monday.
Two pupils were expelled and two others received written warnings. On Monday of last week the school issued a letter to all the parents of the grade nines who attended a grade camp over the weekend, informing them of the incident. Collie said the culprits who had been identified would be dealt with in terms of Curro’s disciplinary code.
This states that the school opposes the possession of prohibited substances like alcohol at excursions and penalties will be considered for any breach, including compulsory counselling, the drawing up of a contract between the learner, parents and the school, appropriate punishment relative to the breach detected and the suspension or expulsion of the learner.
Collie told Lowvelder last week that the school was taking an educational approach to the incident. “We are dealing with it in the right way. We need to help pupils. We are trying to build a society, not break it down.”
A whiskey tot and a six-pack of Smirnoff Spin cans were discovered before the pupils left for the camp and the tip-off had come from a parent of one of the learners who saw it on WhatsApp messages. He said nobody used alcohol or other substances during the trip on which eight teachers accompanied 60 learners.
He said that the two boys who had planned to take the alcohol on the camp were expelled as per the school’s code of conduct. Collie said there was not sufficient mitigating circumstances to only give them a final warning. He added there was an appeal process.
The school also informed parents of an incident regarding a cellphone – Collie explained that two girls had an argument which someone recorded.
It was deleted by the pupils when everyone involved agreed they had overreacted and the differences were resolved. However, to ensure order, Collie said all phones were taken away during the camp, and only returned to phone home.
“Every school in the country has grade nines who push the boundaries,” he said, adding that while the teenagers’ actions resulted from being silly and irresponsible, the school viewed it in a serious light.
Two girls also received written warnings for the inappropriate use of cell- phones. The punishment was suspension, and since they were suspended before the hearings, they were expected back at school this week.
Read about previous disciplinary action against school pupils here.
