Schoolgirl stabs classmate

A Waitakere College schoolboy was in hospital last night after being stabbed in the arm by a female classmate.

Acting principal Joy Eaton said the incident happened near the changing rooms during a physical education class at about 2.20pm yesterday.

It is understood the stabbing took place in the gym and that a teacher intervened but the knife had not been recovered.

A school nurse was called to tend to the boy, who is believed to be about 13. The girl is believed to be of a similar age.

The nurse called an ambulance which took the injured boy to hospital with what St John described as a "minor laceration".

A Starship duty manager said the boy would be kept in hospital overnight for observation.

Mrs Eaton said she did not know what provoked the stabbing but it appeared to be an isolated incident.

She was not aware of any previous problems.

The girl's father was called to the school and accompanied his daughter to the Henderson Police Station where the matter is now being dealt with by the Youth Aid section.

Mrs Eaton said the school worked hard to provide students with a safe environment and it offered counselling and peer support for those who needed it.

Students who witnessed the stabbing have been offered counselling and had been spoken to by staff.

The school's board of trustees chairman Peter Bakker said he had no comment last night.