Parents asked to OK school's use of strap

A Christian school in Auckland is seeking parents' permission for staff to strap students despite corporal punishment in schools being illegal.

Documents obtained by the Herald outline Tyndale Park Christian School's "corporal correction" policy.

It acknowledges the Education Act forbids corporal punishment, but quotes the Bible saying "we ought to serve God rather than men".

Parents are given an "authorisation/direction" form which says they are aware corporal punishment at school is banned, but will permit school staff to administer it.

The policy says the strap must be given on the palm after consultation with another staff member, and in the presence of that staff member.

Afterwards the child is to be spoken to or prayed with, or both.

School manager and trust board chairman Jan Brinkman refused to discuss corporal punishment at the school.

"Our enrolment policy is between the parents who enrol children here and ourselves. We are not a state school; we are not bound by a particular enrolment policy."

He would not say how long the policy had been in place, or whether it was optional for parents to sign the form.

"This is between the parents that enrol their children at our school and that is where the buck stops. It's got nothing to do with anyone else except our parents."

Tyndale Park is a private Christian school in Papatoetoe with about 110 students from Years 1 to 13. Fees range from $708 to $1070 a term.

The Education Review Office and the Ministry of Education said last night that they were unaware of the school's policy. Private schools were not obliged to show documentation or policies to government bodies.

Previous review office reports have been unable to comment conclusively on the school's corporal punishment stance, but last year the office said: "The school manager should ensure that parents are clearly informed that the school administers no corporal punishment."

Charlene Scotti, the office's area manager of review services, said some schools had policies to call parents in for cases where corporal punishment was required, but were careful not to include staff in punishing students.

Ministry of Education northern regional manager Bruce Adin said the legality of the Tyndale Park document was unclear, but if school staff strapped a student it would be illegal.

Green MP and anti-smacking advocate Sue Bradford said it was a disgusting policy. "It appears to me the school is deliberately breaking the law."

She has called for the Ministry of Education to launch a full investigation into the school "to ascertain whether any child has been assaulted by staff".