Suspensions likely after school brawl - commissioner

Suspensions are likely to result from a brawl at Hamilton's Fairfield College yesterday which led to police intervention and assault charges being laid.

The fight initially broke out between girls, but ended up involving groups of students.

Dennis Finn, who was appointed commissioner of the school following the resignation of its board members in February after a critical Education Review Office (ERO) report, said yesterday's incident was a serious one.

It was sparked after a senior student was "whacked in the face" after attempting to leave a student common room, he told Radio New Zealand.

Mr Finn said it was a "vicious and serious" attack which escalated out into the school grounds.

Two girls, aged 13 and 14, were charged with assault after police were called to break the fight up, and were being dealt with through court and Youth Aid.

The victim suffered bruising and swelling to her head and neck.

Mr Finn said students involved in the fight had been stood down from school until the principal had a chance to go over reports on the incident.

There was every chance suspensions would result from the fight, Mr Finn said.

He said he had not seen similar violence at the school in the six months he had been there.

While it was a concerning incident, fights could happen at any school.

Police, who had a presence at the school as part of a "Campus Cops" initiative in the city, would continue their patrols.

- NZPA