Grammar boys to explain Nazi photo antics 

Source: ONE NewsAuckland Grammar School students

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A group of Auckland Grammar School students are facing disciplinary action after photos of them bowing down in front of Nazi regalia appeared on Facebook.

The images showed the boys, in school uniform, kissing a swastika, making a Nazi salute, and kneeling in homage before a Nazi flag at an Auckland Museum exhibition.

Robin Klitscher, RSA National President, says the students are missing more than an understanding.

"They're in total ignorance of what they've done," he says.

The photos were taken when the Grammar boys visited Auckland Museum's Scars On The Heart exhibition earlier this year.

The exhibition tells the stories of courage and human turmoil in World War II.

Museum spokeswoman Karen Mason says student groups from Auckland Grammar are frequent visitors to the museum but this sort of thing has never happened before.

She says the photos are hugely offensive and tasteless and disappointment is the best way to sum up her feelings.

"They do not understand at all or have any empathy," she says.

The photos were posted on the social networking website Facebook, but have now been taken down.

"I would like them to come and see me and I will do my best to explain to them exactly where they've gone wrong because they have gone seriously wrong," says Klitscher.

It is not the first row over tasteless displays about Nazi Germany.

Prince Harry had to apologise for wearing a swastika armband to a fancy dress party.

And recently Lincoln University students were snapped wearing concentration camp costumes.

"I don't think it's an occasion to vilify these kids, it's an occasion to pity them and I think that may have greater effect," Klitscher says.

Auckland Grammar School principal John Morris says there is absolutely no justification for the "immature and unthinking" actions of the boys.

All the students involved were interviewed after the school became aware of the photos on Friday, and their families have been informed.

The Grammar boys will front up to museum staff on Tuesday to apologise and will be asked to explain just what they thought they were doing.

Is Auckland Grammar School right to discipline the boys or was this just a harmless prank? Have your say on the messageboard below.

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grm961 ; 2009-10-21 @ 13:22 NZDT  

I think this is a pathetic situation, this is history and the victors will always have a say in what the outcome is. But we should move on from that, yes people died in the concentration camps but so did hundreds of thousands die as the result of bombings of towns and cities, innocent people on both sides. I do not see people getting so outraged at other atrocities which have happened durying many wars that have taken place. Kids will be kids I think this is a complete overreaction.

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candisw ; 2009-10-21 @ 10:12 NZDT  

Silly action, yes NZ is very aware of wars.. NZ whom? Adults and families of veterans only. What about new immigrant?? We must start it in the school primaries.. TEACH History please, Universal History, Universal Literacy together with maths and reading.. I find it silly that my son comes with homework like: Describe the movie you saw during the holidays..who are the characters? the director.. Social Science in early stage will make everyone to respect others..

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brendonfrances ; 2009-10-21 @ 09:31 NZDT  

People need to get over this and move on.

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Redsno1 ; 2009-10-20 @ 23:07 NZDT  

A celebrity dies, jokes all over the show, great laugh. We go on about how great we are at humour. You put kids in front of a nazi flag, what do you think they will do. Take the mick. It is social conditioning, not right, but it will happen. I am a teacher of teenagers, and fully aware of the way they think. If you don't want this sirt of thing to happen, don't display it

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Matttodd ; 2009-10-20 @ 22:43 NZDT  

Yes i agree with the move of Auckland Grammer school,the actiuons these boys took was culturaly insensative and downright deplorable considering the situation and my heart is with the survivors of the Holocaust who must be felling very hurt by the idiotic actions of these boys although i do feel a tad bit sorry for tyhem having to have all this media attention

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