LINDISFARNE PUPIL EXPELLED FOR CANNABIS OFFENCE

A Lindisfarne College student has been expelled from the school and
may face criminal charges after he allegedly tried to sell cannabis to
other students.

Although the school is remaining tight-lipped about the incident,
Lindisfarne College Board of Trustees chairman John Wakeman confirmed
the 16-year-old had been expelled from the school, following an
incident a fortnight ago.

Mr Wakeman refused to comment on the specifics of the matter, as he
understood the boy could end up appearing in court.

Hastings police Senior Constable Ross Stewart confirmed the student
had been referred to youth aid for possessing cannabis for supply.

The student was found with three and a half cannabis "bullets" at the
school.

Rumours circulating around the school suggested the cannabis had been
laced with methamphetamine, or "P", but Mr Stewart yesterday confirmed
that was not the case. A decision would probably be made in the next
week whether the youth would be prosecuted.

Mr Wakeman said the matter had been brought to the attention of
authorities by "one of the more responsible individuals" at the
school, who had heard drug rumours "through the grapevine."

The student had been stood down from the school while investigations
were made into the incident, and had then been expelled following a
meeting of the Lindisfarne College disciplinary committee.

An arrangement had been made for the student to attend another school,
and Mr Wakeman said the boy would still be able to sit his end-of-year
NCEA exams.

Mr Wakeman said he understood the incident was the first of its kind
at the school in the past 12 years.

Mr Wakeman said the other students at Lindisfarne College were aware
of the boy's expulsion, and of the school's attitude toward drugs.

"On a regular basis they're told illegal substances are definitely
frowned upon in the school.

"I believe it would be full knowledge at this stage that the boy's
left."

Mr Wakeman believed any issues with drugs at Lindisfarne College were
less than at some other schools.

However he acknowledged the school's concern over the
incident.

"Any of these incidents are a concern to the school."

Mr Wakeman said the school did not do regular drug-testing of pupils,
but it had the ability to do so if a student was suspected of being
involved with drugs.

Lindisfarne College is a boys-only Christian school with students from
year seven to 13.

An Education Review Office report this year listed the school's roll
at 461.