to take legal action against an ex-student who struck him earlier this year.

In a press release, chairman Eugene Cox praised Mr. Melvyn Bassett for "showing great restraint and good judgment in handling the matter'' at the school's graduation on June 29 when he was punched by a fifth-year student.

Kiwon Butterfield, 16, hit Mr. Bassett after his name was not called during the Sonesta Beach Hotel ceremony.

Mr. Butterfield later apologised to his peers and parents for disrupting the evening but The Royal Gazette understands he refused to apologise to Mr.

Bassett until the principal apologised for "discriminating'' against him.

Mr. Cox said: "We feel we have given ex-student Kiwon Butterfield and his family more than reasonable time for a public apology for their behaviour, and since it has not been forthcoming, Mr. Bassett has been freed to seek whatever legal redress he may decide upon for the assault he suffered.'' Mr. Butterfield's mother, Debbie Butterfield, has lodged a formal complaint with the Human Rights Commission since the incident.

Mr. Cox stressed: "We want it to be known that dreadlocks per se are not an issue with either us as governors or Mr. Bassett as principal. We recognise dread locks to be a legitimate religious expression.'' Mr. Cox said that during preparation for the ceremony, the student told Mr.

Bassett that since he had met the graduation requirements, he was not bound by the school's codes. Mr. Cox said: "We want it to be known that Mr. Bassett was enforcing rules we as governors put in place, and consequently we are not prepared to sit idly by and allow anyone to slap around our principal and or members of his staff without prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law.''