Underage schoolboy selling wine in fundraiser

A 16-year-old has been selling alcohol as part of a school fundraiser.

The Wellington College pupil was selling wine to raise money for the school's year 12 trip to Europe next year, which would cost each pupil about $10,000.

A Wellington woman said she received an email from a pupil at the school offering to sell her wine, which as he was under 18, was illegal.

"I am appalled at Wellington College, especially with binge drinking being such a big problem at the moment. If the parents want to sell it [wine] that's fine, but students selling alcohol, it's just not appropriate."

Wellington College associate principal David Ashby was surprised to hear of the incident. There were strict rules for fundraising, he said.

It had been made clear to pupils that they could not sell wine to anyone unless they were 18 or over. "If they are not 18 they can get their parents to sell it on their behalf," Mr Ashby said.

Many schools used wine sales in fundraisers. Wellington College had done so for several years and never had any problems.

"If he [the pupil] has done something silly and decided to ring or email a few neighbours or something like that, and he's not 18, then he is not following the instructions of the school."

Andrew Galloway of the Alcohol Advisory Council said considering the problems society was facing with binge and teenage drinking, schools needed to look at whether it was appropriate to sell alcohol for fundraising, and refrain from doing so.

Mr Ashby said Wellington College would consider the matter.

"Yeah, we will probably look at it. But we have never had a complaint before."


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