NT Education Minister Jo Hersey on violence at Katherine High School
Education Minister Jo Hersey says attention should to be moved away from multiple alleged stabbings and brawls by students at a Top End high school – describing them as ‘little issues’.
Northern Territory
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Education Minister Jo Hersey says attention should to be moved away from multiple recent alleged stabbings and brawls by students at a Top End high school – calling them “little issues”.
Speaking to media on Wednesday morning Ms Hersey, who is also the member for Katherine, said she did not know if there was a “rhyme or reason” behind the recent wave of violence at Katherine High School.
The school was rocked by another alleged incident on Tuesday.
Video footage shows multiple female students involved in the fight.
A witness claims a girl was kicked in the head while on the ground.
It is unknown if the victim required medical attention.
NT Police and NT Education have been contacted for comment.
Despite the footage showing large numbers of students involved, Ms Hersey said the violence was not being committed by a large crowd.
“We’re a very small, tight knit community – this is not a whole group of people, this is a few select children that are lashing out,” she said.
She said “while there are these little issues” going on in the “sidelines” at the school, attention should instead be focused on the “lot of good work” done at the school.
“I think we need to focus on that a little bit more than the negatives,” she said.
Tuesday’s incident, and Ms Hersey’s comments, follow a spate of alleged violent acts at the school.
In February, a string of schoolyard bashings were captured on video and circulated online.
A stabbing involving a pen then prompted principal Nick Lovering to allow police officers to enter school grounds and ‘wand’ students for weapons.
Last week, another student was allegedly stabbed with a pencil by their classmate.
On Friday afternoon, the school went into lockdown after a schoolyard brawl spiralled out of control.
This was followed by another lockdown on Monday when a student in possession of a steak knife was reported to staff.
Asked why Katherine High School specifically was encountering a high rate of violence, Ms Hersey, who is also the Member for Katherine, could not provide a reason.
“I think last year at the start of the school (term) it was a school in Central Australia,” she said.
“I don’t know whether there’s any rhyme or reason to the fact Katherine High School is having ongoing concerns.”
Ms Hersey said the safety of teachers at the school was of the upmost importance.
“(There are) attendance officers, engagements officers, the school based constables in the school,” she said.
“Today, there’s some Aboriginal liaison officers in the school, and the latest incident yesterday just highlights that we need to make sure that teachers and students are safe in a school environment.
“While it’s disappointing and concerning, we are doing everything we can to make sure that the school feels supported.”
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