Bashings, bullying, drugs: Parents fear sending kids to top school

This Brisbane school, recognised by the Education Department as a school of excellence, has been accused of tolerating anti-social behaviour.

Claims of violence, bullying and drug dealing are rife at one of Queensland’s leading state high schools, according to parents, some of whom say they are scared to send their children to class.

Cavendish Road State High School, recognised by the Education Department as “a school of excellence”, has been accused of tolerating anti-social behaviour and failing to appropriately care for its students.

Current and former parents have spoken out following Monday’s horrific assault of a 13-year-old student allegedly by older girls from Cavendish Road, Holland Park and Mansfield high schools.

The brutal bashing took place in an alley near Westfield Garden City Shopping Centre in Mt Gravatt as a crowd of young onlookers egged the bullies on.

One parent said violence and poor behaviour had reached “epic proportions” and this week’s shocking incident was one of many.

Cavendish Road State High School. Photo: Claudia Baxter

He said he’d heard of incidents of students being bashed in toilets, shops being defaced near the school, and claims of drug use and dealing on school grounds.

“When people complain they are fed a bunch of rhetoric about official programs in place at the school, but clearly the programs aren’t working and students aren’t listening,” he said.

Former parent, Faith Valencia-Forrester, whose son graduated from Cavendish Road High in 2019, said she was considering homeschooling her youngest child due to rising violence.

“I am scared to send my daughter to high school,” said Ms Valencia-Forrester, a senior lecturer at Griffith University.

“She is only eight and has already been bullied.

“If I’m legislated to send my child to school then I believe a safe environment should be provided.”

Another parent said they have been aware of bullying claims at Cavendish Road High for at least two years.

The school was contacted for comment.

The Education Queensland website says Cavendish Road High is one of the most innovative in Queensland and “a school of excellence in science, mathematics and philosophy”.