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Online hecklers of Burnside principal to be prosecuted

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Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:20p.m.

Burnside High School principal Warwick Maguire

Burnside High School principal Warwick Maguire

Commentators who joined in a vicious online attack against a new Christchurch principal will be prosecuted, police say.

Burnside High School principal Warwick Maguire has spoken to police and those who posted defamatory comments on social networking site Facebook would face criminal charges and civil investigation, Papanui senior sergeant Pete Stills confirmed to the Wanganui Chronicle.

Mr Maguire, who moved from Wanganui High School to became principal of Burnside High last November, has been targeted by a Facebook group called "I Hate Burnside's New Principal!!!".

The site attracted more than 300 members who made defamatory, offensive comments about Mr Maguire, and criticised changes he has made to the school, before it was brought to police attention and shut down.

A second page dedicated to the first page was put up and attracted about 150 members before it was also taken down.

Mr Maguire was away on leave when the pages were active but he spoke to police on his return.

"It has not been amusing for Mr Maguire or his family, who have been hurt by the comments," Mr Stills said.

"Some of the comments are clear criminal offences. They are clear threats made toward Mr Maguire that cannot be ignored."

Meanwhile, a Facebook page put up in support of Mr Maguire called "Warwick Maguire is a great principal and a good man", has drawn more than 800 members.

NZPA

 

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Comments

16 Feb 2010 07:12p.m.

kee wrote:

If this bloke[ principal] hasn't got the character to take whatever these comments are on the jaw without going to the justice system ,[ruining HIS pupils lives with convictions] comments typed on an electronic piece of paper called the net , like writing on the dunny wall, except the new e age way of protesting, then I begin to wonder about the man's suitability to fill his role.Vindictiveness is not a good character to role model.As for having to stand up for the dude if he comes in the room , I really do wonder what power trip he is on .I am 53 years old and and the only guy I would stand up for is the judge.Does he look a bit nasty or is it my imagination ?

16 Feb 2010 06:46p.m.

Student wrote:

The student's were stupid to ever think that started that facebook group could end well, but criminal charges will do more damage than good. These kids were venting their frustrations, in a very misguided way. They need guidance, not a criminal record.

16 Feb 2010 02:39p.m.

vim fuego wrote:

These kids are a bunch of immature idiots who clearly haven't thought about the ramifications of their actions,and how disrespectful they've been.However,prosecuting these children(because that's what they are)smacks of powertripping vindictiveness:by all means punish them within school via letters,detentions etc,but leave it at that.Mr Maguire is a principal who needs to display the common sense and leadership qualities these kids obviously haven't got.What will the result be Mr Maguire,of hiding behind the "the law" in it's strictest definition?Do you really think punishing kids with criminal records,for the rest of their lives is "leading from the front?"Initially I was totally supportive towards this principal,however after these ridiculous threats that will punish them for a lifetime,I think some of these kids may have a point...

15 Feb 2010 09:13p.m.

Prime Minister wrote:

I am a student at BHS, and have total respect for the way Mr Maguire has handled the whole situation. As a new principal who made a LOT of changes in his first couple of months on the job, he never was going to be popular with staff or students. Despite this, I think he's a great guy who will do wonders for Burnside in the long term. In saying this, I don't think prosecuting students will help in the slightest. Having a criminal record will cause more long-term trouble for the students concerned than any trip through our judicial system could provide. Personally, I think a couple of weeks litter duty and an apology letter or two (followed by a sudden realisation of the seriousness of the situation) should sort them out. It certainly worked for me.

15 Feb 2010 08:54a.m.

fail wrote:

This isnt gona stop it. Now all of the students will be angry at him behind his back, like it is now. But they wont be so open about it, for fear of persecution. So the anger will brew until who know what happens. I like how it shows that the "Warwick Maguire is a great principal and a good man" group has 800 members, like this group has more power. Well, no kids going to join a group that they could get in trouble for?

14 Feb 2010 08:25p.m.

Achilles wrote:

For the students, they are merely but young youths making so it would seem fun at the expence of someone else, in this case Principle. This is a position of authority in the education system and Leadership role of overseer of both students and teachers. I'm sure not all the students members of the group dislike this man I see he's good, he has a heart because what the students did hurt him. Some of the students will be feeling bad, some of them regretful more than others some even affraid and frightend for the outcome of future proceedings in the court of law is most unpleasent for any youth entering the unknown and mysterious. The best solution in this case is for Principle to forgive the students there trepasses in return gaining respect and admiration amongst staff and pupils. By forgiving the students it'll show that he's not one to dwell apon little transgressions (oftenly obtained in such a position) and that the students education is the focus at hand. By punishing them and going through the court system is only frighting them, demorilizing them to feel terrible for what they have done which they all know now is not right, making them miss out school for court dates and embarressing there parents who'll inturn punish them some more, this way will not be good considering he's fairly new to the school trying to win the hearts and minds of students, parents and friends. Any person in such a position should be able to rise above this call off all charges and deal with it at school by speaking to the students and telling them that he has feelings to and that what they did infact hurt and that he forgives them and wants to watch every pupil grow to an amazing tree of abundance, happiness and great prosperity.

14 Feb 2010 08:22p.m.

Lightseed wrote:

michael, Mr Key hasn't told anyone what can be said on the internet. We have laws that you must abide by, and threatening someone's life is against those laws. I suggest some of you learn what freedom of speech means, it has never meant you are free to abuse and threaten.

14 Feb 2010 06:29p.m.

Eye for Eye. wrote:

Burnside?? Burnbacksides aplenty is long overdue.

14 Feb 2010 06:06p.m.

Chris wrote:

If they get sent to prison that means we need to pay for their food, oops.

14 Feb 2010 04:36p.m.

Glocks wrote:

I was at high school in the 90's, and to be honest I was a bit of a $hit. However, I still had sense enough not to show disrespect to my teachers (regardless of what I thought of them). Clearly times have changed. Things like texting and the internet have enabled kids to write things that, in ordinary circumstances, they wouldn't dream of saying. This isn't helped by some overly indulgent parents, who make sure their kids are acutely aware of their rights, but are a little remiss when it comes to reminding them of their responsibilities.

I have it on good authority that the Principal in question is a bit of a twerp, and has got up the noses of both students AND staff. But the bottom line is, so what? This idea that kids can have everything exactly the way they want it is mindless, PC crap, and will do nothing to help them when, in 5-10 years time, they will be entering the workforce. Try setting up a facebook page about how much you hate your boss and see how much sympathy you get! Maybe your Mummy will be able to write a note explaining how it's unfair that he makes you wear a tie...