Tauranga Boys' College is defending its hard line against drugs, as the school is investigated for its decision to expel and deport five exchange students for marijuana use.

SunLive understands the school's decision is being investigated by the International Education Appeal Authority and Human Rights Commission after a complaint was laid.

Joerg Thamm with nephew outside Tauranga Boys' College. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

The expulsions are a result of an incident in early March where five exchange students attending the college collectively purchased and smoked a marijuana joint, outside school hours and property.

On March 7 the teens met at Graham Park in Tauranga South and enlisted one, who had a motorbike, to travel to 17th Avenue and meet with a dealer to exchange money for a single joint. He then returned to the park where the five were all involved in smoking the joint.

Of the five students, one withdrew from the college, two were allowed to stay and the two students, who complained about the college and its protocols towards international students, were expelled.

Tauranga Boys' College principal Robert Mangan says as soon as the incident was brought to the school's attention the staff and Board of Trustees put processes in place to investigate and ascertain the extent of the illegal activity.

He says the school is taking a strong stand on this issue as pupils are made fully aware of a zero tolerance for illegal drug use.

'As per school protocols, all parties involved were kept fully informed throughout the process and were given the opportunity to respond,” says Robert.

'Following this process the school management and its Board of Trustees imposed appropriate sanctions, based on the degree of involvement of the boys who took part in the illegal activity.

'It is our policy not to publically discuss disciplinary actions taken against individuals.”

But Joerg Thamm, whose German nephew was one of the teens involved, believes the school did not undertake a full investigation before deciding on expulsion.

A week after the incident, Joerg received a phone call from the school principal informing him his nephew, who was under his care, was being investigated for marijuana use.

Joerg then says no communication between the school and parents was made until March 18 when the school informed families of the intention to expel the students.

Following interviews with the teens the board of trustees decided to expel Joerg's nephew on the basis of 'gross misconduct”, in the fact he had engaged in the incident by sourcing the cash, driving to pick up the marijuana, smoking it and driving under the influence.

Under the school's Code of Conduct with international students it has the right to expel if the student is involved in illegal activity.

Joerg believes it would not be 'gross misconduct” if the teen was a New Zealand student and the school policy would have been applied to him in equal manner.

'I'm surprised it can happen in Tauranga. Tauranga Boys' is a really nice college and the principal is ignoring all rules and requests,” says Joerg.

'A principal should have the student's welfare first, but just to cover up for the international part of the school with the complaints, that is just not acceptable.”

The 17-year-old 'stupidly” became involved after agreeing to pick up the joint on his motorbike, says Joerg.

'He had one puff and that was it; 15 minutes later he left and was the first to leave.

'He did not pay any money, wasn't interested and didn't do anymore; but he stupidly picked it up,” says Joerg.

Families were then given 24 hours to appeal the decision.

A source reveals that at the same time of informing the parents on March 18, the school had arranged for a travel agent to book flights for the five boys back to Germany the following day without the parent's permission or knowledge.

During this time the families of three of the boys enlisted legal help at a cost of between $4000 and $10,000.

A complaint by a family member was made to the International Education Appeal Authority – a body that deals with international students' care, advice or services from education providers, or provider's agent. The authority can determine if there has been a breach of the Code of Pastoral Care and has the power to impose sanctions on education providers that have committed a breach that is not serious.

A complaint was also lodged with the Human Rights Commission on March 20 on the basis of discrimination and unequal treatment, compared to NZ students regarding academic education and participation in school arranged sports events.

The IEAA is now investigating the complaint, and a decision is yet to be reached. The organisation has advised the family that if there has been a breach of the code of practice of pastoral care and if moves towards expulsion did not stop, the school would be liable to pay back all fees in full.

While the investigation is ongoing, the two teens continue to be expelled from the school, something the families hope can be resolved before the start of Term two on Monday.