Golden Grove parent speaks out after child caught in bully scandal

The mother of a boy filmed viciously assaulting a Year 7 student has spoken out, saying the attack was retribution because the victim had allegedly bullied the boy’s sister.

The parent of the boy filmed battering a cowering student in the Golden Grove High School toilets has spoken out about the sickening footage.

Jill* told The Advertiser it was the culmination of simmering tensions left unbridled by school and Education Department staff.

She said she understood there needed to be consequences, and the boy was facing them, but with more attention paid to the school after a series of controversies and explosion of violence, the incident could have been prevented.

“This is what happens when the school doesn’t recognise a bully, and they don’t punish a bully,” she said.

“It’s what happens when victims don’t feel like they can speak up.

Students fighting at Golden Grove High School. Picture: Supplied

Students fighting at Golden Grove High School. Picture: Supplied

“When (you) fail to recognise and properly deal with bullies, and when (you) fail to act … there will always be a best friend, mate or sibling that will.

“Sooner or later, someone will step in.”

She conceded she was shocked by the video and did not condone violence, but felt her child had been part of a “witch hunt”.

Jill described the toilet attack as her child seeking retribution after the victim in that instance had allegedly bullied another one of her children, also at the school.

The other child, Sally*, told The Advertiser she had been bullied by the smaller boy before he hit her in the classroom.

She said she was one of “too many” students who experienced bullying so severe at the school she often did not attend through fear she would be targeted.

Jill said the school, and her family, had been failed by the education system previously, which meant Sally did not report the bullying and it went unchecked.

She said the ensuing toilet assault was an example of them, and the school itself, being once again failed by the system.

“The Education Department and the minister is failing our schools, which in turn fails the children,” she said.

“They could only do so much, they needed more help.

“You can’t put it on the school because it goes higher than that.

“Something really needs to change.”

A series of violent and distressing fight videos have come out from Golden Grove High school.

Jill said the school had been grappling with the issues, but felt if they had more support the series of shocking fights could have been avoided.

She said support needed to be provided for both victims and bullies so they could be educated on what is unacceptable.

“If anything supporting the bully is more important,” she said.

“By all means support the victim, but nothing will change if you don’t get on top of it with the bully.”

After a series of videos emerged on Thursday involving Golden Grove High School students Premier Peter Malinauskas announced an experienced ex-principal would be sent to the school to help out.

He also said security guards would be deployed to attempt to curb the violence.

Education Department chief executive Martin Westwell on Thursday said the school had been working “proactively” to stop fighting in the schoolyard.

“Like all schools, Golden Grove High School’s leadership team and wellbeing leaders also work proactively with students and parents to help them make the right decisions, including hosting a forum with the school community,” he said.

“School should be a safe environment for everyone, and Golden Grove High School does not condone this type of behaviour from any member of the school community.”

Education Department Professor Westwell said the school took “serious disciplinary action to address unacceptable behaviour” when reported.

He said across the whole school year last year 231 Golden Grove students had been suspended at a rate of almost 58 each term.

A further three students were “excluded” - meaning they are suspended for between five and 10 weeks

In 2022, with a term to go, 204 had been suspended at a rate of 68 per term and a further four excluded.

The figures were despite an increase of 287 students enrolled at the school between the start of last year to the start of this year.

*Names have been changed for privacy reasons.