Girl, 11, expelled after pulling knife on pupil

Whangaparaoa College was shocked by the incident. Photo / Janna Dixon

An 11-year-old girl was expelled from school after she pulled a knife on another girl.

Whangaparaoa College principal Brian O'Connell said the incident was shocking for the school. He had never seen a young girl pull a knife on another in 35 years of teaching.

"The knife wasn't used but it was not just threatened in a minor way, it was pointed and she threatened, 'I will use this on you'."

The school had "offered and strongly demanded" the girl enter counselling.

She had some history of concerning behaviour at previous schools and Whangaparaoa.

"The issue is the family's level of engagement has not always been at the required level and we are still trying to engage with them," O'Connell said.

The school had contacted the girl's mother and community services. "We want to work with the family until the girl has enough support so she can continue her education. We had to make a decision for the safety of the other kids."

He said the school found nothing to suggest the girl had been bullied.