Pupil leaves teacher's face badly smashed

A teacher at a South Auckland school needed hospital treatment for facial injuries after one of her students attacked her.

The Alfriston College student was held back after class by a PE teacher for disruptive behaviour at the start of the lesson. Another teacher was present when "out of the blue" the teenage boy struck out.

The teacher, who has not been named, took the following day off school after Tuesday's attack. She has reported the assault to the police.

Acting principal Susan Impey confirmed the assault took place, but declined to give details of the injuries.

However, the Weekend Herald understands the woman had serious facial injuries.

Ms Impey said the school had immediately suspended the student, whose details have not been released, and called his parents in.

"They are as shocked and surprised as we were," she said. "This was an isolated incident that came out of the blue and was out of character for the student."

His teachers were also shocked.

The Manukau City school is one of the country's newest. It opened in January last year with 275 Year 9 students. It will eventually cater for students from Years 9-13 (age 13-19) with a planned capacity of 1500.

The student will face the school's board next week, when trustees will decide if he is allowed back in the classroom.

Ms Impey said guidance counsellors were involved and the teacher, the student and his family were satisfied with the school's handling of the incident.

Latest Ministry of Education figures show that 590 students were stood down or suspended for physical assaults on teachers last year. That was down from 637 the year before, but up from 537 in 2002. Figures for 2005 are not yet available.

Debbie Te Whaiti, head of the Post Primary Teachers Association, said the Alfriston assault was a "very distressing incident".

A recent report - Perceptions of Teachers and Teaching - concluded that teachers should present a more positive image to attract people to the profession.

"But we can't be blinkered about the fact that teachers, too, can be victims of violence in schools," Ms Te Whaiti said.

The Government last week announced a $10 million package to combat disruptive classroom behaviour and bullying and to protect students and teachers.