BOARDERS SUSPENDED FOR SMOKING MARIJUANA

A GROUP of 16 teenagers from a selective boys' boarding school near
Tamworth have been suspended for smoking marijuana on school grounds.

The Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School students were suspended
last week for up to 20 days.

An Education Department spokesman confirmed the suspensions and said
expulsions were possible.

"The principal, in a letter to the parents, has indicated that
depending on the outcome of further inquiries, expulsions may be
possible," he said.

No charges have been laid, but the police investigation is continuing
and officers are yet to speak to four other students who they believe
were involved.

It is believed the marijuana was taken into the school and not
cultivated on the premises.

The school community bunkered down as news of the suspensions leaked
out. Acting principal Jim Levy said he could not comment because the
situation was still delicate.

Bev Winters, from the Parents and Teachers and Friends Association,
said she was not authorised to speak.

Tamworth councillor and Farrer old boy Col Murray said the community
had been disappointed by the news, and the school should see it as a
"reality check".

"I was a little disturbed about it, but not completely surprised," he said.

The Education Department spokesman said there was nothing to indicate
that marijuana was a major problem at the school, or that any student
was involved in dealing in marijuana or other drugs.

He said drugs would not be tolerated at the school, and the
authorities had acted by disciplining the students and calling in the police.