Claims of "draconian censorship" and "injustice" at the St Kevin's College house drama competition have been rejected by college principal Brent Russell, who said it had standards to maintain and made no apology for that.
The family of one of the students involved in the competition, held on August 26, wrote to the Otago Daily Times complaining about "injustice" in the way the competition was run and censorship which rendered "some plays virtually humourless".
Omarama man Michael Blackstock attended the competition to see his nephew in one of the house plays, based on "best of British" comedy shows - Little Britain, Allo Allo, Black Books and Black Adder.
Teacher Karen Austin, who worked with the pupils, "began a programme of draconian censorship" .
Some of the words removed included Oh God, prostitute and privy.
Mr Russell said more than 100 pupils were involved in the competition - more than a quarter of the school.
The auditorium was full with an audience that ranged from young children to grandparents and included priests and nuns.
The school had a responsibility to ensure the plays were of a standard and appropriate to the audience and did not contain blasphemy, double meanings or sexual innuendo.
Mr Blackstock's family was the only complaint to the school, and that was at 5pm before the competition had been held.
They had not approached Mr Russell with their concerns.
