Rotorua primary school ransacked by group of teenagers
A group of teenagers caused between $80,000 and $120,000 in damage to a primary school in Rotorua, New Zealand, by ransacking classrooms. The school principal noted that while the event was devastating, the community response has been overwhelmingly supportive.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the impact of youth vandalism on community infrastructure and the subsequent social mobilization to support affected institutions.
A Rotorua primary school is facing at least $80,000 in damage after a group of teenagers ransacked classrooms, its principal says.
Five teenagers aged 13 to 15 broke into Western Heights Primary school in Rotorua on Sunday and threw acrylic classroom paint over ceilings, walls, furniture and carpets.
Principal Brent Griffin said seeing the damage was devastating.
"Heart-wrenching to see everything we've worked for in these classrooms just destroyed in such a short period of time, and aimless disregard for anyone else."
Facebook / Western Heights Primary Rotorua
Griffin said it was difficult to comprehend how much damage the group had caused.
"It was rough, I can't really describe it, it was just when you walked in the door you couldn't really believe what you were seeing."
Griffin said there was CCTV footage of the offenders, who were not connected to, or known by the school.
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One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
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