Parents take to social media to defend Golden Grove High School over bullying controversy

Parents have taken to social media to defend a public high school under siege over students filming each other fighting, saying bad parenting is to blame.

Parents have rallied behind embattled Golden Grove High School, taking to social media to defend its principal and teachers.

They have rejected criticism that the school has not addressed bullying, with some saying bad parenting rather than the school’s administration was to blame.

The northeastern year 7 to 12 secondary college has been under siege over a series of videos showing students either fighting or attacking other students.

The latest controversy follows previous publicity about the removal of toilet doors and male students rating female students on the TikTok social media app.

During a discussion on a community Facebook page on Friday, parents said the school’s principal, Peter Kuss, and his staff had implemented a range of measures aimed at addressing the violence.

Many said they were satisfied with the action being taken by the school, which expanded significantly this year with the entry of year 7 students for the first time.

A letter sent to parents regarding the situation at Golden Grove High School

They supported a ban the school had implemented on mobile phones being used by year 7 and year 8 students, who have to surrender the devices when they arrive.

While several parents said they had withdrawn children because of problems within the school, most said their children were enjoying their time there and doing well.

Amanda Sommerfield said her son, who suffered from anxiety, was in year 8 at Golden Grove and it had “exceeded my expectations”.

“The staff and mental health support has been more than I could’ve asked for in helping my son,” she said.

“I don’t feel we should judge an entire school on the behaviour of a handful of bad students which every high school surely has.”

Students fighting at Golden Grove High School. Picture: Supplied

Students fighting at Golden Grove High School. Picture: Supplied

Kirsty Packham said her daughter was getting “excellent grades” and enjoying her classes “overall” because the school had “some really fantastic teachers”.

“I feel like the school’s hands are tied when it comes to dealing with troublesome students,” she said.

Nikki Geesing said she pulled her daughter out of a private school because of bullying and moved her to Golden Grove.

“She is doing well there and her grades are excellent,” she said.

“She is aware of the fighting going on but stays out of it.”

Tammy Edwards said her daughter “has never had a problem” at the school.

“We’ve found the leadership teams and the teachers fantastic,” she said.

“It’s a very supportive school with great opportunities if the students want to embrace it.”

Golden Grove High School. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Ms Edwards said the violence which had been depicted on social media could not be blamed on the school.

“Yes, there are many students who cause trouble, but I put this down to what may be happening at home,” she said.

“Maybe they don’t have supportive parents or have come from a troubled background.”

Ms Edwards said the school was putting measures in place to address the bullying.

“I still feel like my daughter is safe at the school and supported,” she said.

“We have been really happy with the school.”

Not so happy was Becky Gibb, who said she pulled her son out of the school because of the bullying.

Ms Gibb said it was the “best decision” she had “ever made”.

“My son was not bullied or involved but had informed me of all the issues at the school as well as other issues with leadership,” she said.

Ms Gibb said the school put in security guards last year but the problems continued.

“I hope they can get things sorted for the children’s sake,” she said.

Originally published as Parents take to social media to defend Golden Grove High School over bullying controversy