A high school teacher in Hamilton has kept his job despite admitting kicking a student in the bottom during a class.

Photo: 123RF

The Education Council's Disciplinary Tribunal found Peter Rowlingson guilty of misconduct for the incident at Hamilton's Melville High School in in June last year.

Mr Rowlingson, a technology teacher, admitted lashing out after students threw equipment around his classroom.

The tribunal heard the student ignored multiple requests to stop, but had a hearing problem Mr Rowlingson was not aware of.

His kick was described by the tribunal as "fairly robust" and caught the student by surprise.

The student swore and left the classroom to report the incident.

Mr Rowlingson admitted he was incensed by the student's behaviour and acted inappropriately.

The tribunal heard he had previously faced disciplinary action for an incident in which he lost his temper with a colleague, kicked a rubbish bin and punched a whiteboard.

The tribunal described the case as not especially serious. It censured Mr Rowlingson and ordered him to pay $3495.29 in administration costs.

After apologising to the student, he was given a final written warning by the school.