The Tairua School community is pleading for its deputy principal to rescind her resignation after she was embroiled in a high profile "boat-rage" incident.
Catherine Browning, 52, stepped down from her position after she was filmed hitting John Dixon with an oar when he allegedly rammed a boat she was in with his inflatable dinghy.
The incident was filmed and put on social media.
NZME reports Browning was charged with assault but was granted diversion in court on Thursday.
Dixon, a convicted murderer who served eight years before his release, is defending three charges.
He pleaded not guilty to using a vessel as a weapon to collide with another vessel, operating a vessel in a dangerous manner and assaulting Browning.
In a meeting on Wednesday, past and present students of Tairua School along with parents pleaded with the Board of Trustees to re-establish Browning as a teacher.
They presented letters of support for the former deputy principal and served a formal letter to the board before the meeting, reports NZME.
"We ask the Board of Trustees to represent the parents, school children and wider community's interest by doing everything in its power to re-establish Catherine Browning in her position as teacher," the letter said.
Supporters heaped praise on Browning, saying she helped many teenagers over the years and was a bold and compassionate woman.
