Pupils at Fergusson Intermediate, Upper Hutt, are upset after being told by their principal that hugging between girls was not "appropriate behaviour", and threatened with detention if caught. Principal Paul Patterson says that the crackdown began after a group of female students got "carried away" hugging and kissing each other before class. Although there was nothing sexual in it, these public displays of affection were deemed an "interference", and several girls were told to refrain from being affectionate with one another, as it was "inappropriate". Pupil Brogan Marshall says that hugging was just a way she and her friends greeted each other, and that she believed same-sex hugging between friends was harmless, although banning public affection between boys and girls would be fair. The school principal denies banning hugs completely, but says he is "encouraging behaviour which conforms to the school's code of conduct". Girls have been simply asked to refrain from hugging and kissing each other. No pupils have since received detention for such displays of affection.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 22nd November 2005 - 12:00pm