School slams fees-bribe rumor

Joanna Yeung

An English boarding school headmaster dismissed rumors the school was trying to silence "witnesses" with fee waivers over an incident on Friday that saw a Hong Kong teenager end up in a critical condition in hospital with head injuries after he and two other students were bludgeoned by a 16-year-old boy in a dormitory.

The incident came to light after the Hong Kong student's father made a Facebook posting on Sunday that said his son had been operated on by a top neurosurgeon.

Bart Wielenga, headmaster of Blundell's School in Tiverton, Devon, in southwest England, released another letter to parents on Monday over the incident.

He expressed dismay over rumors on social media sites, insisting the school had not concealed facts from the public nor prevented students from discussing the issue.

He said it had fully cooperated with police, with the limited release of information due to legal restrictions. "UK law imposes very strict limitations on any discussion of matters under immediate investigation, and additional restrictions apply where children and young people are involved, not least protecting their identity."

He also said requiring parents not to speculate and engage in social media was to prevent the spread of rumors, as well as to protect the school community.

The rumor that the school fees had waived fees in order to silence witnesses was "categorically untrue."

In a recent school assembly, Wielenga said he acknowledged the impact of the incident on students.

He also urged the school community to "put a bit of wind back into their sails," stressing kindness and consideration.

Wielenga visited two of the injured students, and the school has provided counseling for students in need of emotional support.

The Hong Kong student is still critical.