Four boys expelled for 'vicious' attack on student

Four boys have been expelled from Tauranga's Aquinas College after they attacked another pupil on Monday.

The decision was made at a meeting yesterday attended by the Year 10 boys, their parents and the school's board of trustees disciplinary committee.

In a newsletter sent to parents of the 450 pupils, Aquinas College principal Brendan Schollum described the attack as "vicious".

About a dozen pupils at the Tauranga school encircled Aron Brennan, 15, before four boys punched and kicked him and stomped on his head.

Aron said later he remembered the group forming a circle around him and then four boys punching and kicking him during the lunch hour.

Mr Schollum said yesterday's meeting gave a "simple message" -- that four boys would be excluded for their actions in the planned attack.

It is a legal requirement that, if needed, Mr Schollum would help place them in another school.

Aron was to return to school for the school prizegiving tonight.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES