Hundreds sign petition supporting teacher charged after wild classroom brawl

Hundreds of people have signed an online petition supporting a NSW teacher charged over an ugly classroom brawl.

An industrial arts teacher charged with assault over an ugly classroom brawl has been defended in an online petition that has attracted hundreds of signatures.

Michael Kable, 62, was arrested on Tuesday night after fighting with students while teaching at Maitland Grossman High School, northwest of Newcastle in NSW, earlier that afternoon.

Footage that circulated online captured the clash, which began with a student tossing paper balls at the teacher.

A teacher has been recorded fighting with students at Maitland Grossmann High School.

The situation escalated quickly when the vision captured the teacher appearing to grab the student by the collar, causing other teens to intervene.

One student pushed the teacher away and yelled: “You wanna f***ing touch him again?”

Mr Kable urged the students to put their phones away, but the situation spiralled out of control with a desk thrown at the teacher and several frightened students fleeing the room.

Mr Kable has been bailed to face court in April.

In the video, the teacher could be seen shoving the student around the classroom.

The footage appeared to show the teacher winding up his arm and striking the student while he was on the floor.

“Are you f***ing stupid?” a student yells.

Mr Kable was arrested and charged with common assault yesterday afternoon.

The teacher then stood in the doorway and challenged the students, saying: “Who wants to have a go?”

An anonymous online petition offering support for Mr Kable has already received more than 450 signatures.

Police confirmed Mr Kable was arrested and charged with common assault.

Punches and tables appeared to be thrown in altercation.

“About 9.30pm, a 62-year-old man was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station, where he was charged with common assault,” NSW Police told news.com.au on Wednesday.

“The teenage boy was assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, was not physically injured.

Mr Kable has been given conditional bail to appear before Maitland Local Court on April 6.

A NSW Department of Education spokesperson says the department is aware of the incident and the school is working with police.

Originally published as Hundreds sign petition supporting teacher charged after wild classroom brawl