Whyalla Secondary College security guards to stay until ‘early Term 3’ after parents’ concerns

The Education Department has backflipped on plans to ditch security guards after concerned parents at a Whyalla high school pleaded for them to stay.

The Department of Education has promised to keep security guards on at a Whyalla high school after parents voiced fears that violence could return.

Last week, The Advertiser revealed private security guards deployed to Whyalla Secondary College after a sickening schoolyard attack were due to be withdrawn at the end of Term 2, but they will now remain until “early next term”.

“Having those static guards provide reassurance about the safety of students,” Department of Education chief executive Martin Westwell told ABC radio.

One young mother, who previously told The Advertiser she felt “stuck and helpless” sending her child to the college, said she had been comforted by the guards’ presence.

“It was definitely feeling like a better environment for our kids,” she said.

The Department of Education confirmed to The Advertiser there had been no further incidents at the school since security guards were deployed.

Video emerged last month of a young schoolgirl being kicked, punched and stomped on during an incident on May 9, with a 15-year-old girl later arrested and charged.

The incident sparked pleas from parents at the school to end the violence, with some describing the environment as being “like a prison yard”.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said the alleged offender was not currently at the school while the matter was before the courts.

Security guards were deployed to the school in the wake of the incident, which parents say made a “huge difference”.

A student was charged after video emerged of a schoolyard attack. Picture: 7NEWS

Parents at Whyalla Secondary College said security guards had “helped calm” violence. Picture: Dean Martin

Mr Boyer said he would be travelling to Whyalla Secondary College with Commissioner for Children and Young People Helen Connolly in the coming weeks, to assess the school’s support needs.

“If there is ongoing value or benefit to having guards, then we will consider the length of period and work with the school to determine the best needs of the community,” he said.

Mr Boyer said guards were “just one support option” considered to respond to school violence and were used for a variety of reasons.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said he would be returning to Whyalla Secondary School in coming weeks. Picture: Dean Martin

“There are many different resources schools use to support students and teachers including wellbeing and behavioural programs and supports,” Mr Boyer said.

“We will always consider options that the school deems appropriate for its community.”

SA schools have increasingly hired private security guards to protect students and staff from violence.

Video emerged earlier this week of an incident at Wirreanda Secondary School in Morphett Vale on May 26 involving a group of students with complex needs.

Police were called to investigate the brawl and one student, 15, has since been reported for assault.

Social media giant Instagram has shut down an account associated with Wirreanda College students for breaching its bullying and harassment policy, while one furious grandmother has spoken out about how bullying left her grandson “nearly suicidal”.