The acting principal of Saint Joseph's College Brother Kevin O'Malley has confirmed that the five students who were charged as a result of a brawl were suspended not expelled. 

Br Kevin said the parents have made a traditional apology (ifoga) to the school and they have accepted it. The students are sitting their school final examinations. 

"They are suspended from school but they are currently sitting their exams. So, they are not expelled they are suspended," he said.

"They have regretted their actions. They apologised to the school for causing problems. They were released on the same week they were taken into custody. They are allowed to sit their exams as long as they pay their school fees."

According to Br Kevin, they are waiting on the conclusion of the report from the Ministry of Police regarding the case.

The five students from St Joseph's College were arrested on Monday 23 September. They were charged with assault, causing harm and armed with weapons. They were charged the next day after they were taken into custody. 

The brawl between St Joseph's College and Maluafou College took an ugly turn when a Year 12 student was hospitalised. Since then, both schools have reconciled their differences and have also a pact to promote non-violence. Both schools were also part of the closure ceremony for Sanarosa, a teenager who lost her life to violence and abuse.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Education also confirmed that the students could sit for their national examinations provided they had paid their examination fees.