Port Augusta Secondary School students tell of violence and dysfunction

Students at one of the state’s most troubled high schools say violence and dysfunction is a daily occurence — and it doesn’t end when class is out.

Students at Port Augusta Secondary School are having their heads “stomped on” during fights and “half the school” is smoking or vaping on a daily basis, teens at the troubled school claim.

They told The Advertiser of the violence and dysfunction they see on a daily basis as youth crime and anti-social behaviour in the town escalates.

“The school is f**ked,” one boy, 16, said.

Several videos have been shared online in recent weeks showing fights at the troubled high school, which was sent into lockdown last year after a student allegedly attacked staff.

“It is just trouble,” the boy said.

Port Augusta Secondary School students have spoken out. Picture: Dean Martin

A girl, also 16, said the school was “on the edge” on a daily basis as fights became more regular.

“It’s not really about school, it’s about drama,” she said.

The teenagers, who were among many students in town during school hours when The Advertiser visited Port Augusta, said there was a “racial divide” on campus which caused fights to break out between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.

“One fella got pushed through the fence and his head stomped on,” the boy said.

“I seen that fella after and his face was all purple.”

The students said fights could go on for up to five minutes before being broken up despite two full-time security guards patrolling the school.

The students said youth anti-social behaviour in town was extending to the school and that “half the school” was smoking or illegally vaping on school grounds.

“Kids go into town and they see people drinking on the streets,” the girl said.

Students at Port Augusta Secondary School told The Advertiser the school was “on the edge” as violence increased. Picture: Supplied

“Seeing what these kids get up to is a bit of a shock for everyone.

“I’m not the type to get scared … it’s terrifying though.”

An Education Department spokeswoman said violence and bullying were “not acceptable”.

“Unfortunately issues that arise outside of the school, and often centring on family conflict, can spill into the school environment,” she said.

The spokeswoman said a truancy service operated in Port Augusta and conducted home visits where required.

“Any incident of violence that has occurred this year has been promptly managed by school leadership, including through the provision of support and wellbeing services plus through disciplinary consequences,” she said.

But the boy said violence continued to escalate at the school, with students sharing fight videos to social media to “intimidate” others.

“They put it out there not to mess with them,” he said.

“There are some kids who are willing to take it a step further.”

Education Minister Blair Boyer said the government was “throwing everything we’ve got” at the issues at Port Augusta Secondary School. Picture Dean Martin

Education Minister Blair Boyer said the government had offered the school further support.

“We’re throwing everything we’ve got at it,” Mr Boyer said.

“Obviously some of the stuff that’s happening in the broader community bubbles over and plays out in the school.

“It’s very hard for us from an education perspective to control that.

“We’re watching everything very closely.

“They’ve got to have all the support under the sun.”