AC/DC and Muppets

New Zealand: fuss about school bells

This school (pictured) has been playing hits such as "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC for some time now instead of the traditional bell.

(Bild: Te Kura o Puhinui Warkworth School)

In a school in New Zealand, hits such as "Thunderstruck" by hard rock pioneers AC/DC and evergreens such as "Mah Nà Mah Nà" from the legendary "Muppet Show" have been playing instead of the classic break time bell for some time now. This is now causing trouble ...

Some of the school's neighbors signed a petition aimed at stopping the musical signaling devices at Te Kura o Puhinui Warkworth School near Auckland, as reported by Radio New Zealand (RNZ). Critics say they are a noise nuisance.

Principal: "Pupils just love it"
The pupils, who love the break-time playlist, take a completely different view. "We've gotten feedback from our students," RNZ quoted principal Karney Dawson as saying. "About 95 percent said they wanted us to keep it - they just love it."

The Snowths performing "Mah Nà Mah Nà" on "The Muppet Show":

 The hard rock hit and the puppet troupe's rags-to-riches tune will be played for the first time at the start of lessons at 9am and one last time at the end of school at 3pm. "The students say they enjoy it, it's fun and it makes a difference - and the parents like it too," Dawson emphasized.

According to Dawson, a noise specialist from Auckland City Council has confirmed that the volume of the music is not excessive and does not disturb the immediate neighbors.