‘Leave them at home’: Sports balls not welcome at school

Ten-year-old Kyla Murdoch wants to be a Silver Fern.

But the Year Six student was told by her teacher at Mission Heights Primary School in Flat Bush not to take her netball ball to school.

Kristin Murdoch, Kyla’s mother, approached Mission Heights and was told it had implemented a new policy where children weren’t allowed to bring toys to school – and a ball is considered a toy.

‘It’s just ridiculous,” she said.

Mrs Murdoch said no memo had been sent to parents notifying them of the change in school policy, nor was anyone consulted about the new rule. The first she knew was when her daughter came home, ball in hand, saying she had been scolded for having it.

The school does have sports sheds, but Mrs Murdoch worries the school does not have enough equipment for all the kids to share.

“Would you rather [kids] just sat there playing games on their phones?”

Principal at Mission Heights Primary School, Veena Vohra, did not confirm an outright ban on sports balls – but said toys were not allowed.

“We do prefer they don’t bring their own balls to school . . . we don’t stop it, but we do certainly suggest they leave them at home.”

Mrs Vohra said bringing toys to school creates tension for the children, and the school has more than enough sports equipment for their students.

“You name it . . . we have it,” she said, adding there are three sports sheds for the decile 10 school with a roll of 740 students.

Sports psychologist Sara Chatwin said many schools have banned fizzy drinks and junk food, and are making “really healthy changes”.

She added that sport plays a key role in helping children develop.

“Kids being active is good for their body and their mind. Playing sport as a young kid can ignite the fires for a love of sport.”

Susan Howan, Ministry of Education acting head of sector enablement and support, said they were not aware of any school banning sports balls being brought to school.

She said: “Schools set their own rules about what's acceptable for students to bring with them to school.

“Parents who have concerns about rules a school introduces or requests that are made should take the matter up with the school.”

As for Kyla, her mum says if she practises and has access to the correct equipment, “there’s no reason she can’t be a Silver Fern”.