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A third of all students at Hutt Valley High School have been bullied according to a education ministry report.
Earlier this month police said an "extreme" bullying attack at the school had left one boy traumatised and six others facing court.
Detective Sergeant Brendan Mears, of Lower Hutt CIB, said the serious assault was one of several which allegedly occurred at the school late last year and all were being investigated by police.
Five 13-year-old boys were referred to the Family Court and a 14-year-old boy would appear in the Lower Hutt Youth Court over the incident.
The new report revealed half the school's teachers had complained of being bullied, intimidated or harassed, The Dominion Post reported today.
It said some students had "suicidal thoughts" after being victimised.
The report was based on the Eliminating Violence survey which canvassed 522 pupils, 112 staff and parents. It was carried out in March last year by an Education Ministry team.
A follow-up survey is planned in March.
Hutt Valley High School board of trustees chairwoman Susan Pilbrow said the school would like to have no one suffering any threats or violence.
"But we have a school of approximately 1700 pupils and not everybody behaves as we would like. I think that would be the same for every school to some degree," she told the paper.
Parents of students bullied at the school want to make sure the bullies will not be back in class next week.
"Students who come forward will be targeted and attacked because anyone who speaks up against these gangs is a nark," one victim's mother told The Dominion Post.
"The school needs to provide a safe environment for all these kids to come forward without retribution."
The school refused to confirm whether the bullies would be back this year.
The Education Ministry has deployed a "traumatic incidents team" to provide support. Staff and pupils will be offered counselling.
- NZPA
