Grovedale College sent into lockdown after violent altercation between students

A Geelong school was sent into lockdown on Monday after a violent altercation between two students.

Grovedale College was sent into lockdown on Monday after an altercation with two students. Picture: Mark Wilson

A Geelong school was forced into lockdown after what witnesses described a scary altercation between two students.

Police were called to Grovedale College on Monday after lockdown sirens were activated in the school about 12.30pm on Monday.

The incident reportedly left students distraught, with a witness telling the Geelong Advertiser the situation was “dealt with terribly”.

The eye-witness said a student, believed to have been suspended, had walked onto campus and was searching for another student in the school.

“He found the (student), went into their classroom and tried to start a punch on,” they said.

The witness claimed the student had a pocket knife, however the Department of Education said no weapon was involved.

“About 10 minutes later, our principal came onto the speaker and she told all teachers to check their emails,” the witness said.

“Her voice was really shaky so everyone started panicking.

“Teachers then checked their emails and said they didn’t know what was going on but it wasn’t a drill.”

Grovedale College was sent into lockdown on Monday after an altercation with two students. Picture: Mark Wilson

The witness told the Addy the incident was “scary”.

“We could see people running, he was chasing this kid around the courtyard and teachers tried to intervene.

“There was one point he was on the roof.”

They said students were “really scared” with some students crying and another “having a panic attack”.

The witness said the school cohort gathered for a previously planned assembly and expected the incident would be addressed.

They claimed no support was offered to distraught students or staff.

“I think it was dealt with terribly.”

They said parents had also received limited communication from the college about the incident and an email was sent to carers on Tuesday evening.

“All the email said was “there was a lockdown and the situation had been dealt with’,” the witness said.

The Department of Education confirmed an incident had occurred on Monday and police attended the campus.

“As a precautionary measure, for a short time Grovedale College enacted its safety procedures consistent with established processes following an incident on Monday,” a spokesman said.

“The safety and wellbeing of students is always paramount and the school acted appropriately, with support offered for affected students.”

Grovedale College did not respond to direct requests for comment.

It comes after police were called to Sacred Heart College in February after a student was brutally attacked during lunchtime.

Footage of that incident was circulated on social media.

Originally published as Grovedale College sent into lockdown after violent altercation between students