Vandalism at Massey High School. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
Several Auckland schools have had their windows smashed and vehicles damaged in recent days.
On Facebook, Massey High School said they, and at least four other West Auckland secondary schools, had suffered similar "mindless vandalism" over the past two nights.
"All schools have suffered similar damage, large numbers of broken windows at the front of the school (caused by blunt objects) and damage to school vehicles," the post said.
Green Bay High School principal Fiona Barker said there was a "significant amount" of damage, and staff and students were disheartened.
CCTV footage showed five people entered the property about 4.30am and smashing 30 windows across multiple classroom blocks, as well as the windows out of three school vans.
A man works to repair windows at Massey High School. Photo: Nick Monro
"The damage is significant both cost-wise, but actually the disruption is huge," she said.
Intermediate school students were due for a "transition visit" at the school on Friday and that had to be postponed.
Students had to be moved into different classrooms to avoid the damage, and a big clean-up had begun.
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"It's also such a hard way to end the term, really disheartening for our kids to come into school, and our teachers, and to find all of this happening."
Massey High School's prinicipal says windows of school vehicles were also smashed. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
Barker did not have any idea why anyone would have vandalised the schools.
"It just looks mindless, nothing was stolen, it was just causing damage ... just so much damage."
Barker estimated the clean-up cost would be "in the many tens of thousands" - money better spent on "doing great things for kids to enjoy", she said.
Massey High School principal Alastair Fairley said a large number of windows at the front of his school were smashed using blunt objects, and school vehicles also had windows smashed.
"Obviously incredibly frustrating, the disruption it causes is unwelcome and the mindless nature of it can seem a bit unbelievable," he said.
Massey High School's principal is glad no one was hurt. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
"Our student's response is heartening as they are immensely proud of their school. At least no one was hurt."
Fairley said the schools were working together with police, and the Ministry of Education has been quickly facilitating claims.
"The collegiality amongst West Auckland principals really comes to the fore with incidents like this," he said.
Lynfield College principal Cath Knell told Midday Report three classrooms, four offices and the marae had been damaged at her school.
She said two "masked offenders" entered the school grounds just before 4am.
"What they've used has shattered the windows, in some cases they've broken and left jagged glass through the classrooms, so those classrooms are all out of action," she said.
She said the school was holding its year 11 prizegiving today, and they have had to move students to different classrooms to avoid the damage.
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