EVERY year 11 group on the final day of school celebrates the end of their high school education, and Bedale High School students followed this tradition (DST, June 12). However, this year there was a difference. Not only was a lot of damage done to the community, but also irreparable damage was caused to the perception of teenagers as a whole.

Another difference this year was that the school tried to change its traditions. Not only did it opt to systematically search every student’s bags, which I believe scared the younger school children more than events on the actual day, but they also banned the use of paints, smoke bombs and silly string on the isolated school rugby field, as has been allowed in the past.

We, as students, organised a meeting with the assistant headteacher and other members of the senior leadership team to discuss the changes. Our many valid arguments included that the paints and smoke were likely to be used elsewhere and so any bans in school would be likely to lead to vandalism in town. We also said that the traditions of the school could not be changed as immediately as the teachers expected.

Just as I thought, vandalism did occur and now the students and general teenagers are subject to more prejudice due to a very limited few breaking the rules.

I believe the damage has been caused as a direct result of the changes in rules and specifically the 'field ban'.

I would like to get my opinion out to reassure the community that not all teenagers are like this.

We tried and tried to convince the school but we were ignored and we would all like to formally apologise to the people of Bedale. However, the school will be getting no apology from me.

Name supplied, Bedale.