Clare High School Principal Kerry Williams writes to parents following violent altercation between student and teacher

A principal’s plea for parents to keep secret a student-teacher attack has been leaked by a mum concerned by the regional high school’s rising issues.

A violent altercation where a student hit a teacher at a regional high school has left parents concerned after the principal sent a letter to the school community.

Clare High School Principal Kerry Williams wrote to parents to advise them of the incident on Wednesday.

She called on parents them to keep the information private while they deal with the incident.

“Your child may have seen or heard about an incident where a teacher was hit by a student,” she wrote.

“Please be aware that we are supporting this teacher and student. In order to support this teacher and young person and to protect their privacy, I ask that you don’t share this news with other families.”

Ms Williams urged parents to look out for any commentary about the incident on social media.

“If you notice anything insensitive, inappropriate or otherwise harmful, contact us or the network provider. We can investigate removing the content,” she said.

The leaked letter Clare High School principal Kerry Williams wrote to parents to advise them of the incident.

But one concerned mother – who did not wish to be named – approached The Advertiser because she believed the incident needed to be made public.

She said she held concerns that problems at the school were “flying under the radar”.

“I just feel it’s not getting the attention because it’s a regional school as opposed to a school like Golden Grove that attracts that attention because of its location,” he said.

“The school has no consistency, the teachers are constantly changing, they just don’t stick around because of the environment.”

She said Google reviews for the school online were also concerning.

“There are even students on there providing one star reviews,” she said.

A Department for Education spokesperson confirmed an “isolated student behavioural incident” at Clare High School on Wednesday had resulted in a teacher being injured.

“The student’s family was contacted and appropriate consequences have been applied. The school has reported the incident to SA Police,” the spokesperson said.

“Support will also be made available to any other students or staff who feel they have been impacted by the incident.”

The mum said the latest incident came a year after they were informed a volunteer at the school was arrested for child sex offences.

Former principal Sharryn Daly wrote to parents in September 2021 to inform them of the arrest.

“I regret to inform you that on 21 August 2021, a former volunteer associated with our school was arrested and charged with child sex offences,” she wrote.

“The arrested person, who has not volunteered for our school since March 2021, has been bailed to appear on 1 November 2021 and cannot be named until after they have appeared in court.”

She said the incident did not involve any students at the school.

“The information available to the school suggests that there is no need for any concern for any other children at our school,” she said.