Unicorn-themed items are the "in thing" with pupils right now, and many take them to school.
But in a school newsletter to parents last week, principal Robyn Wood said there was a problem in the junior part of the school with unicorns and other property going missing.
"At the end of last year and already this year, we have had a small number of children’s backpacks and lunch boxes go missing from a range of classrooms on the junior side of the school.
"Initially, it seemed that the thefts were related solely to things with ‘unicorns’ on them.
"However, it now appears other ‘nice looking’ personal items are also going missing."
Staff had already tried speaking to the children about the missing items, bags and lunch boxes which had been brought into classrooms, regular checks over break times had been made by teachers, and several emails had been sent home asking for any items that did not belong to them to be returned, she said.
"This, unfortunately, has not stopped this unwanted behaviour.
"The possible installation of a camera is the last resort option in a bid to stop this unwanted behaviour."
She told parents the school was considering installing a camera in the affected classrooms because the situation was causing considerable stress to the children, their families and the teaching team.
"Before proceeding with this however, we would like to survey you, our community, to see if you are agreeable to this proposal."
The cameras would only film where the lunch boxes/bags were stored in the classroom; signage that met the requirements of the Privacy Commissioner recommendations would be displayed; and the classroom teacher would be responsible for the operation of the CCTV system, she said.
Viewing of any footage would be in accordance with the school’s camera surveillance and security policies.
"If there is sufficient agreement from the community to proceed with this proposal, a camera will be installed.
"However, if the feedback is overwhelmingly against this, we will not proceed."
The school was at a loss as to how to stop the unwanted behaviour, she said.
An amnesty box was placed outside the juniors room, and it was stressed that no questions would be asked in regards to items returned.
School board chairwoman Holly Hammond said so far, 41 survey responses had been received, and more than 86% were supportive of the initiative.
The survey was expected to close on Monday, she said.
