Hastings Boys High School Board of Trustees have voted to expel a year 12 pupil for bringing the head of a dead cat onto a school bus.

Last Friday the 17-year-old put the head of a wild cat he killed at home into a plastic bag with the idea of scaring people on the bus.

The school principal suspended the teenager pending a board meeting on Tuesday night to decide the pupil's future.

Board Chairman Barry Rosenburg says the student's actions were despicable.

The board is investigating exactly what happened on the bus and what part two other younger students played.

Rosenburg says once the board has all the facts, it will consider further action.