‘He lost consciousness’: 13-year-old autistic student bashed unconscious by group of older students at northeastern suburbs high school

A student is refusing to return to his northeastern suburbs high school after he was bashed unconscious by a group of older students, fearing he will be attacked again.

Michael Oakley’s 13-year-old autistic son was bashed by a group of students at Golden Grove High School. Picture: RoyVPhotography

A 13-year-old autistic student has refused to return to his northeastern suburbs school after the student who bashed him until he “lost consciousness” was allowed back earlier this month, the student’s father says.

The student, who attends Golden Grove High School (GGHS), was brutally beaten by a group of older students in March, with the main assailant repeatedly punching him in the head as the others held him.

His father, Michael Oakley told the Advertiser that the incident has left his son “traumatised”, and unable to return to school out of fear that it will happen again since his assailant was allowed back earlier this month.

Golden Grove High School. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“They threw him across some tables and then they held him up against the wall and then the main assailant basically went to town punching him in the head over and over again,” he said.

“He lost consciousness and luckily a teacher at the time, just happened to be walking past and noticed what was going on, but this was well and truly into it after about five minutes or so.

“Just imagine what would have happened if the teacher didn’t walk past to intervene.

“This is what happened to my son and the assailant has been allowed and also has the privilege to return to school, over my son, the victim, at 13 years old.”

The school reported the incident to police on the same day, and the student was given a five-day suspension, before receiving an additional 10-week exclusion.

Mr Oakley said his son continued to be bullied during the 10-week period by the other students who assaulted him, however, he felt “safer” at the school because the main assailant was not there.

Mr Oakley said his son refused to return to school because he feared for his safety. Photo: Brenton Edwards.

During the 10-week suspension, Mr Oakley was informed by GGHS that the student had decided not to return to the school.

However, on June 4, Mr Oakley was informed that the student had changed his mind and that he would be returning to GGHS the following day.

“They rang and told us that he was coming back tomorrow and I said, ‘well that’s not good enough’, like where was their planning,” he said.

When Mr Oakley told his son, he said his son refused to return to school because he feared for his safety, and has not been back to GGHS since June 4.

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said they had been communicating extensively with Mr Oakley to support his son’s return to school.

“Golden Grove High School remains committed to providing all students with a safe, appropriate, and supportive educational environment,” the spokesperson said.

“The school has a zero-tolerance policy in terms of violence and bullying and will continue to enforce its policies and procedures in terms of managing unacceptable behaviour by students and parents/carers.”

The spokesperson said Mr Oakley had been barred from multiple schools, including Golden Grove High School, following instances of inappropriate behaviour.

Mr Oakley confirmed he had been barred from several schools over verbal altercations.

In 2022, Golden Grove high was engulfed in controversy after a spate of violent incidents and anti-social student behaviour.

Graphic videos of student fights were published on social media, the worst being the bashing of a boy in a toilet as others watched.

However in 2023, Education Department data showed a 39 per cent drop in year 8 incidents and a 10 per cent fall for year 9 after a behavioural crackdown.

Originally published as ‘He lost consciousness’: 13-year-old autistic student bashed unconscious by group of older students at northeastern suburbs high school