Student website shocker

A high school student was threatened with suspension after creating a website advertising a teacher aide as a prostitute.

The 15-year-old posted a list of sexual services and prices alongside photos of the woman from the school magazine and her phone number.

The teacher realised something was up after receiving inappropriate calls, and another student told a teacher about the site soon after.

The case was among several referred to by education law expert Patrick Walsh during a seminar at Waikato University for education leaders.

Walsh was called in to advise the school and said the student was going to be suspended but his mother removed him first.

He said the boy initially justified his actions by claiming it was revenge for the teacher aide picking on him.

"Initially he thought it was a joke and wouldn't cause serious harm, but he then realised it was a serious and terrible thing to have done."

Walsh said the cases highlighted the need for all schools to be "socially responsible".

They should adopt rules for dealing with errant pupils outside as well as inside school hours.

Walsh said there was a particular need for policies on how to deal with students abusing technology, such as phones or social networking sites.

"There's an expectation that schools ought to be responsible and take action where the behaviour brings the school into disrepute and their behaviour is deemed gross misconduct," Walsh said.