Police probe bullies' attack on schoolgirl

Bullying in schools is out of control. Photo / Supplied

Police are investigating an attack on a Rangitoto College schoolgirl who was beaten by two students as she tried to catch a bus home.

It is understood the 15-year-old had a drink thrown on her earlier in the week and was threatened with a beating after school.

She reported the matter to her dean and was assured she would be safe.

Staff held the bullies back on Tuesday afternoon so the girl could leave the school in Mairangi Bay safely.

But on Wednesday afternoon - after again being threatened at lunchtime - the girl was attacked as she walked towards the school bus.

The Weekend Herald has been told one of the bullies grabbed her and punched her repeatedly in the face and stomach, stopping only when a friend pulled the bully off the girl.

As the girl then tried to climb on to the bus, the second bully grabbed her by the hair.

It is understood the bus driver intervened and the girl - who suffered bruising to her head during the attack - managed to get on board.

The matter was reported to the school and to police.

Deputy principal Alison Cleland said the school was investigating but she believed the hair-pulling and punching incidents happened at different times of the day.

"We take any violence very seriously and there will be consequences for both of the students involved," she said.

The report comes after the Herald revealed this week how three girls were attacked at Avondale College in separate incidents this month.

The most recent attack was on Tuesday morning, when a 16-year-old was walking to school.

Earlier in the month, two 13-year-old girls were attacked in separate incidents.

Principal Brent Lewis said it was unusual for the college to have three incidents in one month.

"In our school community of approximately 2650 students, violence is not common but when it occurs firm action is taken."

He said three students had been directed to the disciplinary committee of the board of trustees. One had gone before the board and had been "excluded" from the school.

Mr Lewis said there were no plans to review or address policies on bullying or violence but it was not, and had never been, tolerated at the school.

Meanwhile, more details have emerged about the attack on a teacher who was beaten unconscious last week by a student as he checked the hallways during a rainy lunchtime at Southern Cross Campus, Mangere.

It is understood two groups of boys were on either side of the hallway taking turns to bully students who were forced to walk between them.

The teacher called out for them to stop and was attacked as he tried to walk past.

It is understood the students flashed lights on and off to encourage the attackers, who started yelling and pointing at the teacher, who was kicked to the ground.

The attack ended only when another teacher managed to stop the students.

The injured teacher was taken to the sick bay and then drove himself home - despite having been knocked unconscious in the attack.