http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=2046890&thesection=news&thesubsection=general

Far North school trustee calls pupils 'monsters'
15 June 2002

A row has erupted at a Far North school after claims the board chairman called its students "little monsters" and their parents "arseholes".

The comments were allegedly made by the school's board of trustees chairman, Patu Colbert, at the Whangaroa College public meeting on Wednesday night in front of nearly 60 people.

Parents the Herald spoke to called the language offensive and degrading.

Mike Fleming, whose daughter is the school's head prefect, is now calling for Mr Colbert's resignation.

"You will never build esteem with these students while you speak to them in that manner," Mr Fleming said.

But Mr Colbert said there were children who swore at teachers at the school and they were indeed monsters.

He added, however, that he had been misquoted by parents who did not want to face facts.

Mr Colbert maintains that he said: "If we don't love and nurture our kids they will grow up to be arseholes."

Whangaroa College, in Kaeo, is rated decile 2 and has 217 students. Two-thirds are Maori.

Education Review Office reports have highlighted problems, including high rates of suspensions and truancy.

Parents at the school are adamant that Mr Colbert, who has been a board member for five years, said in the opening address to the meeting that some of the students' parents were arseholes. Their children would grow up to be arseholes or little monsters.

Students had been stood down at school for swearing, Mr Fleming said. Mr Colbert's language represented a double standard.

Another parent, John Guy, said he did not have a problem with what Mr Colbert said.

"[Mr Colbert] said the kids are little monsters and to be quite honest, some of them are a bit like that."

Eric Dodd, chairman of the Board of Trustees Association for Northland, said if Mr Colbert had said what he was reported as saying, "you could imagine it would upset a lot of parents" and the association would make inquiries.

The principal of Whangaroa College would not comment.