Former school administrator testifies about paddle discipline at principal's assault trial

During the ongoing assault trial of former principal Duff Arthur Friesen, former school administrator Lou Brunelle took the stand to describe the discipline system at the private Christian school where he worked from 1989 to 2001. He said the institution officially sanctioned the use of a wooden paddle, requiring parents to sign off on the policy, and that paddling was applied after a brief conversation with the student, often followed by a joint prayer.

Brunelle characterized the paddle as one option among demerits, detentions, and other measures for infractions such as theft, lying, or cheating. He added that none of the teaching staff held certification, though the school’s curriculum was approved and students received Ministry of Education transcripts. The Crown has presented five former students who described being struck, with one reporting bruises that lasted days. Justice Daryl Labach is presiding over the two-week trial.