Wednesday, 28 July 2010
WHAKATANE police have congratulated Eastern Bay students on their behaviour following an incident-free ball weekend.
Senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins, who himself hosted an after-ball function, said police were “very happy” with this year’s ball-goers.
“The students ought to be congratulated for the mature manner in which they conducted themselves,” he said.
There were no problems reported from any of the school balls held over the weekend
The Whakatane High School ball was held on Friday night and both Edgecumbe College and Opotiki College held their balls on Saturday night.
Mr Jenkins said both the students involved in the organisation and those attending the balls deserved full credit.
Students were breath-tested at the door and to his knowledge no-one was turned away because they had been drinking.
He said police had worked with ball arrangers in the lead-up setting expectations and being proactive, which had resulted in good safe events.
Students dressed to impress at what is considered by many to be the highlight of the school year.
Many hours of preparation went into decorating the school halls to theme and on personal grooming, with students spending hundreds of dollars on looking their best.
White and black suits were popular for boys, coupled with colourful vests and ties in orange, lime green, yellow and pink.
Many girls also went bright and dressed to theme, with colourful cocktail dresses heading to Edgecumbe to the Rubik’s Revolution glow-in-the-dark fluoro party and more formal lace and tulle gowns in demand for Opotiki College’s Winter Wonderland and Whakatane High School’s Neverland balls.
The schools’ principals described the events as “fantastic” and “spectacularly successful”.
Whakatane High School principal Chris Nielson said the evening was trouble-free and students really got into the mood of it.
“All the feedback I’ve had is that they had a wonderful time and there were no issues of control and compliance.”
He said the collaborative approach between the school and the police worked well.
Opotiki College principal Maurie Abraham said the atmosphere at the Opotiki Ball was great with everyone dancing and having a neat time.
Edgecumbe reported a similarly successful night.
“As per usual they came really well dressed and it was a very good evening,” principal Mihi Moloney said.