Principal apologises over dog bone punishment

A Northland primary school principal who ordered a six-year- old boy to put a dog bone in his mouth for 30 minutes has apologised to the boy's mother - through a media statement.

Morningside Primary School principal David Prchal told Judah Andrews to grip the bone in his mouth in front of his classmates because he had bitten a student during a lunchbreak two weeks ago.

In a statement released by the Whangarei school's board of trustees on Saturday, Mr Prchal expressed his regrets.

"I deeply regret my actions and accept that telling Judah to put the bone in his mouth was completely unacceptable and excessive.

"I apologise to Judah and his family for these actions and any hurt or embarrassment I have caused to them," Mr Prchal said.

Judah's mother, Janita Andrews, has laid a complaint with police about Mr Prchal's actions. She was angry he had not lost his job.

The school's board of trustees has ordered Mr Prchal to send a letter of apology to Mrs Andrews and will set up steps to ensure a similar type of incident does not happen again. The board of trustees will also send a letter of apology.

Mrs Andrews said yesterday she had not yet received a letter. She claims the boy who was bitten was not hurt and was best friends with her son.

She intended to seek legal advice over Mr Prchal's actions.

Mr Prchal could not be reached for comment.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)