Don't bring drugs to ball, parents told

Parents attending the Westmere and Bayfield School Spring Ball have been issued a warning any anti-social activity will get them kicked out. Photo / Getty Images

Top schools tell parents not to bring drugs or booze to spring fundraiser.

Organisers of a fundraising ball for two of Auckland's top primary schools have ordered parents not to bring their drugs to the party.

Parents attending next Saturday's Westmere and Bayfield School Spring Ball have been issued a code of conduct warning that any anti-social and illegal activity - including drug-taking - will get them kicked out.

And security staff will be posted at the Motat venue to eject ballgoers who fall foul of the rules.

Parents told the Herald on Sunday that the warnings come after a rowdy debut parents' ball two years ago.

But Bayfield School principal Sheryl Fletcher said the code was about being a responsible liquor licence holder.

The organising committee had added the restrictions on drugs after taking a steer from conduct codes used at public events. The wording was a common inclusion, she said.

"Our families do like to have a good time - no one will deny that - but it's much more difficult for people to get liquor licences these days and you have to be quite strict on the regulations."

Organiser Tina Berry said the code was nothing to do with what went on at the previous event and was "pretty standard".

"As part of our liquor licence, we had to have a code of conduct so we put one in," she said.

Auckland Council alcohol licensing manager Rob Abbott said schools applying for special licences did not require a code of conduct, just an alcohol management plan.

"It may well be that they have a set code of conduct and it may be included with their application but it is not something we look at or require," said Abbott.

The code includes barring intoxicated people who have pre-loaded from entry. Parents are also banned from bringing alcohol into the licensed function.

Auckland Primary Principals' Association president Frances Nelson said prohibiting drug use appeared to be an unusual condition for a school event.

"I am not aware of this kind of approach. I guess the PTA/Board of Trustees feel it's necessary," she said.

Touted as an evening of fun, music and dancing, organisers are reminding its decile 10 parent community to be on their best behaviour.

Berry said professional public event organisers connected to the schools' volunteer parent ball committee had drawn up the code for the 2013 ball. The same website was being used and details had been updated for the upcoming event.

"We ask ball patrons to respect the time and effort that has gone into organising the Spring Ball and that the children of Bayfield and Westmere will benefit from the funds raised from the event," parents have been told.

"We therefore ask that you enjoy yourself while acting responsibly and appropriately at the event."

The code went on to read: "No drugs or alcohol to be brought onto premises. No drugs to be consumed on the premises."

A total of 244 schools in Auckland have been granted liquor licences in the past 18 months. Abbott said 173 primary and intermediate schools, 66 colleges and five kindergartens had been given special licences to sell liquor for fundraising events since December last year.