Glenunga International High School principal sends letter to parents over attack at Adelaide’s Frewville McDonald’s

The principal of SA’s biggest public school has admonished a group of students who simply watched on as they bore witness to a violent brawl in a McDonald’s carpark.

=McDonald’s at Frewville. Picture: Supplied

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The principal of the state’s biggest public school has hit out at students who simply watched on as a violent incident involving its students unfolded in the carpark of Frewville McDonald’s.

A Glenunga International High School student was among a group who entered the carpark of the fast food restaurant on Glen Osmond Rd before a violent altercation ensued with a 52-year-old man about 3.40pm on Monday.

Other students, some dressed in full uniform, watched on as the scuffle unfolded in front of concerned witnesses.

On Thursday morning, Glenunga International High School principal Wendy Johnson sent a letter home to parents addressing the incident, hitting out at students who stood and watched on.

Glenunga International High School principal Wendy Johnson.

Glenunga International High School. Picture: File

Ms Johnson said the Glenunga student who engaged in the scuffle is involved in a tailored learning program.

“A handful of our students were standing in the carpark where the physical altercation took place and a number of students were inside,” Ms Johnson said.

“Unfortunately, the behaviour of the students in the carpark did not match our expectations.

“They watched the violence and did nothing.”

She said school leaders have since had “coaching conversations with these young people and their parents”.

The 52-year-old man, who was punched in the face following a verbal exchange, was left bloodied after the incident.

Police attended the scene but no charges have been laid.

“They are now assisting police with their investigations,” Ms Johnson said.

“We treat these poor decisions by our students as important learning opportunities to make better decisions next time.”

Ms Johnson hoped the incident would “trigger a conversation with your young person about the importance of responsible behaviour”.

“All Glenunga adults focus on coaching our young people (whose brain control centres and emotional regulation processes are still developing) on building character and becoming responsible citizens,” she said.

“We are glad violence rarely occurs at this school and when it does it is low level which is dealt with immediately.”

However, she praised other students who “asked McDonald’s staff to call the police, they filmed the fight and they shared the filming with school leaders”.

“We are very proud of these students,” Ms Johnson said.

School parent Matthew Nolan, who has a daughter in Year 9, said it was “out of character” for students from Glenunga to be involved in a violent incident, and that they “should know better”.

“Teenage kids will be teenage kids but you don’t want them to be violent,” said Mr Nolan, 57.

“It’s the largest school in the state so you’re bound to get a few (incidents).”

He said the incident was “unfortunate”, and that “Glenunga is very strong on this behaviour”.

Another parent, Rosemary Khilnani, also with a Year 9 daughter, said she was “very shocked” at the behaviour.

“It’s terrible,” said Ms Khilnani, 42.

“I’m generally scared of teenagers because you hear stories everywhere (of violence).”