Christian corporal punishment

This was in yesterday's Herald:

_A Christian school in Auckland is seeking parents' permission for staff to strap students despite corporal punishment in schools being illegal.

It acknowledges the Education Act forbids corporal punishment, but quotes the Bible saying "we ought to serve God rather than men".

Parents are given an "authorisation/direction" form which says they are aware corporal punishment at school is banned, but will permit school staff to administer it.

The policy says the strap must be given on the palm after consultation with another staff member, and in the presence of that staff member.

Afterwards the child is to be spoken to or prayed with, or both. _

This is how I picture the scene: "You have sinned." Thwack! "Now we are going to pray to our merciful God that he makes you behave properly so I don't have to belt you again."

I must've missed the part in the Bible where it says the way to discipline kids is to whack them on the palm of the hand. I thought the appropriate biblical handling of disobedient children was stoning them to death (Deuteronomy 21:18-21).

I wonder why Tynedale Park doesn't use the bible-sanctioned method - after all, they clearly don't feel obliged to obey New Zealand law. Or maybe they just reserve the stoning to death for the real problem kids; three smacks and you're stoned to death.