A Hamilton high school principal is being accused of bribing a student who was forced to stand outside for an assembly despite being allergic to the sun.
Fairfield College student Kieryn McLaren-Marsh returned home from school last week in pain and bright red after standing outside, his mother Kylie Blacklaws told the Waikato Times.
The Year 13 student said he told his principal Julie Small twice about his condition.
After Kieryn's family complained to the school, Ms Small gave the student $50 -- an act that looked like a bribe, Ms Blacklaws said.
Kieryn said he was called to a meeting with Ms Small, who told him she had not heard his requests to sit in the shade. At the end of the discussion she gave him $50 to buy aftersun gel.
Kieryn said Ms Small was very apologetic and sympathetic during the meeting but he thought it was "a bit weird" she had given him money.
Ms Blacklaws labelled the gesture as "insulting and wrong".
Ms Small has denied any allegations of bribery and said it was simply a case of her caring for her student.
She has since written an apology letter to Kieryn.
