GIRL PUPILS EXPELLED OVER DRUGS

TWO girls were expelled and four others suspended from an exclusive
north shore girls' school yesterday for their involvement with marijuana.

The six, from Ravenswood School for Girls at Gordon were Year 8 and 9
students, the school confirmed.

Ravenswood principal Lorraine Smith said a "small" amount of marijuana
had been discovered after a "tip-off" but the girls had not used the
drug.

The incident did not happen on school grounds.

After discussions with parents, the school council decided on Thursday
night suspension and expulsions were appropriate.

Police have not been called to investigate.

Prime Minister John Howard's daughter, Melanie Howard, attended
Ravenswood and her father is still a member of the Ravenswood Foundation.

Mrs Smith said this was the first drug-related incident at the school
in the 11 years she had been there.

"While the girls did not use any of the small amount of marijuana
involved, we still take this extremely seriously," Mrs Smith said yesterday.

"After discussions with the girls and their parents and a series of
disciplinary committee meetings, two of the girls have left the school
and the other four are suspended until the end of term.

"The girls and their parents are fully supportive of the school's
handling of the incident."

The case follows a similar one at Barker College in May involving five
students who were expelled or suspended for marijuana possession and
another in May at Pymble Ladies College in which nine girls were
expelled for smoking drugs at a party.

A spokeswoman for Mr Howard said last night the PM had been unaware of
the latest incident but that his attitude to drugs in schools had not
changed.

Mr Howard recently supported the tough stand taken by PLC and
Barker.

"The Government has a zero tolerance approach to drugs in schools,"
the spokeswoman said.

Girls from Ravenswood were instructed not to speak to the media
yesterday after being told of the disciplinary action at an assembly.

They were told to direct all inquiries to the principal.

"It is a problem right through the community," Mrs Smith said
yesterday.

"We have got nothing to hide here.

"We have taken appropriate disciplinary action."

Mrs Smith asked the media to respect the schools rules and privacy of
the parents.

Ravenswood's official school rules regarding drugs and alcohol
state:

"The possession or consumption of any non-medicinal or non-prescribed
drug on the school premises or while in school uniform is considered
totally unacceptable.

"Thus girls who smoke, consume alcohol or are involved in
non-prescribed drug use or supply will put their place at Ravenswood
at risk, 96 ie may result in expulsion."

Ravenswood is a Uniting Church kindergarten to Year 12 day and
boarding school for girls.