Principal defends condoms in school ball pack

A Western Bay of Plenty principal is angry attempts to keep his students safe have been criticised by Family First NZ.
The organisation has issued a national statement saying they are "shocked" Te Puke High School handed out "complementary condoms" to every Year 12 and 13 student when they purchased their ball tickets.
But principal Alan Liddle today called their comments a "beat-up" and the student-led initiative was all part of a package to keep their peers safe.
"It's kids supporting kids. It was package with a whole lot of things in there and if people didn't want to use it, so be it. Throw it away.
"We have a national problem with teenage pregnancy and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and I just think it was an initiative by students to support fellow students.
"You've got to be a bit realistic about it."
Students who purchased ball tickets were aged 17 and 18.
Mr Liddle said Family First had unfairly picked "one item" out of a whole lot of things in the pack, including taxi chits and information on keeping safe. Of the 300 students, who attended Te Puke High School's ball on July 24, their had been just one parental complaint, he said.
However, Family First NZ said one complaint was enough.
National director of the organisation Bob McCoskrie, said the gift bags with a condom and advice on safe sex gave the "underlying message to students is that the ball is not about a fun social occasion with their peers but about an expected opportunity to have sex".
"That is a foolish and dangerous message to be sending," he said.