Teacher punched and boys trampled after concert

A Whangarei schoolteacher was reportedly punched in the face and students were trampled following a performance by an orchestra from Auckland Grammar.

The furore at Whangarei Boys' High School reportedly happened in full view of members of the Auckland Grammar School orchestra, who had just finished playing for about 550 Year 9 and Year 10 boys last week.

The boys' high students reportedly ran out of the hall but, because of the narrow exits, some fell and were trampled.

A music teacher who tried to prevent a boy from being trodden was reportedly pushed and punched in the face.

Minutes before, it was also reported that boys' high students had thrown balls of paper on to the stage as the visiting orchestra neared the end of its performance.

Boys' high headmaster Al Kirk said he did not know exactly what had happened in the hall, except that the behaviour of the boys was "disappointing and frustrating".

He said "small minor things" had happened.

"Their behaviour wasn't as good as we had expected," Mr Kirk said.

"The guys should know how they should act ... they don't normally act up."

Mr Kirk contacted Auckland Grammar School headmaster John Morris to apologise for the pupils' behaviour.

A special assembly was held for all Year 9 and Year 10 boys last Thursday at which Mr Kirk told them they had let the school down.

The boys were then made to rehearse "coming into the hall, sitting, behaving, standing up, and leaving the hall".

They were made to practise again on Friday and were told they would practise again when term three started.

A Year 10 student said he saw a number of boys being pushed over and was told soon after that the teacher was punched after trying to save one of them.

"It was really bad with people flicking paper on to the stage and then punching the teacher.

"The grammar boys looked like they were thinking 'what is this school about' and 'how embarrassing' ... I felt embarrassed too," the student said.

Auckland Grammar School deputy headmaster Alex Metzger did not know what had happened at the performance but said a letter of apology had been received.

Grammar headmaster John Morris could not be contacted to discuss the contents of the letter.

"I'm aware some sort of disturbance happened," Mr Metzger said. "I think it's one of those unfortunate and embarrassing situations and they've done the right thing and apologised."

- NZPA