Embattled Golden Grove High School involved in series of vicious fight videos

A series of “confronting” student fight videos has prompted an overhaul of leadership support at the controversy-laden northeastern school.

A former principal and security guards will be brought in help stop the “deplorable violence” at an embattled northeastern school, after a series of sickening videos were revealed.

The shocking fights were recorded by students of Golden Grove High School between September 10 and 26, despite an Education Department ban on phones during school hours.

Three fights were recorded on school grounds between students.

Premier Peter Malinauskas on Thursday afternoon said an experienced former principal would be appointed to support the school’s leadership and “provide independent advice to the department on further action required”.

“Seeing this vision of deplorable violence at one of our schools is particularly confronting,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“There is no place for violence anywhere, let alone in our schools.

‘Clearly, there is a need for action.”

Screenshots from videos of students fighting at Golden Grove High.

He said a parent liaison officer would also be available to parents and families and a specialist behaviour coach introduced for students, with security guards to be at the school for the start of the next school week.

“Images of violence on school grounds horrifies every parent, myself included,” he said.

“Parents and students have the right expect that schools aren’t just a safe environment, but also a nourishing one, which is why as Premier, I have made it clear I expect serious effort to deliver improvement for staff, students and parents.”

Multiple videos show student fights at the troubled high school.

Two other videos each show a one-on-one fight between students as a teacher attempts to break them up.

In one instance a female teacher about half the size of two brawling boys is overwhelmed and is even pushed by one of the students.

One sickening video filmed in February shows a female Golden Grove student set upon by a female Gleeson College student at a public park.

The Golden Grove student can be heard clanking into a barbecue before the Gleeson College student pounces, delivering about 10 punches to her head while holding her in a vulnerable position by her hair.

Gleeson College principal Joe Corbo said senior staff at both schools had worked together to swiftly investigate that incident, and the student involved no longer attended his school.

“We are aware that video was taken and has been circulated on social media,” he said.

“This is extremely disappointing and damaging to all parties involved. Bullying and inappropriate behaviour are not tolerated in our community.

A screenshot of a teacher trying to break up a fight at Golden Grove High School.

Golden Grove parents, including one mother who has chosen not to be named, have joined a chorus of other shocked parents questioning the effectiveness of senior teacher leadership at the school.

“Teachers seem to be able to do absolutely nothing to control them,” she said.

“The principal and his leadership team have clearly lost complete control of this school and it’s only a matter of time before something extremely serious happens.”

The mother requested anonymity claiming the fallout from recent reports by The Advertiser about a vile TikTok trend rating female students at the same school saw students who complained “victimised” by staff and teachers.

Another mother, who also wanted to remain anonymous, told The Advertiser the school’s handling of a series of controversies had escalated tensions describing them as “out of touch with the kids”.

“I can’t believe these acts of violence go on under the teachers’ noses,” she said.

She said her children, who attended the school, described frequent fights as “the norm”.

A third mother, also anonymous, told The Advertiser the videos were an example of “every parent’s worst nightmare” and that the fights were “just happening too much”.

Golden Grove High school students have been involved in a series of controversies in 2022. Photo: Brenton Edwards

Students fighting at Golden Grove High School. Picture: Supplied

Students fighting at Golden Grove High School. Picture: Supplied

A fourth parent, also anonymous to protect her child’s identity, said fights were happening “on a weekly basis” and police attended the school “quite often”.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said the footage in the videos was “extremely distressing”.

“It’s my understanding, that of the videos the school has been made aware of, the perpetrators and those filming the assaults have been suspended,” he said.

“I take seriously the challenges being experienced at Golden Grove High School, and have always said I won’t hesitate to act if schools need additional support.”

Principal Peter Kuss was contacted for comment by The Advertiser on Thursday morning.

Mr Kuss told InDaily the fights had been reported to the school before being investigated, and that the students involved had been disciplined.

He said victim students had been offered support and counselling.

Golden Grove High School principal Peter Kuss. Picture: Supplied

Education Department chief executive Martin Westwell said the department was monitoring the issues at Golden Grove High School.

“Physical violence or bullying in any school is completely unacceptable and not tolerated,” Professor Westwell said.

‘It is our expectation that any reports or allegations of bullying are taken seriously by schools and dealt with, as soon as they are reported to a member of staff.”

He said the school had been encouraging parents to report any behaviour of concern to the school leadership team immediately so they can act on it.

“When an incident involves criminal behaviour, parents are also advised of their right to report to police and are supported to do so.”

A spokesperson for SA Police said they were aware of four incidents involving students at Golden Grove High School.

“Police are working with staff and students at the high school. No one has been charged with any offending at this time and police continue to investigate the incidents.”

The school has been burdened by controversy throughout 2022.

In May the school was ordered by the Education Department to reinstall toilet doors it had removed in a move principal Peter Kuss said was to “mimic” new gender neutral stalls.

The department later contradicted Mr Kuss, saying the door were removed to avoid a TikTok trend sweeping school in which toilets were vandalised.

A month later the school was again in the news after the TikTok trend in which female students were rated – one of them ranking them as “biggest s**ts” – emerged online.