Spate of student violence incidents reported at Echunga Primary School

An Adelaide Hills primary school student threw a table at a pregnant teacher, hitting her in the belly, as parents say they’re living in fear after a spate of violent attacks.

Families at an Adelaide Hills primary school say they are living in fear, with a classroom evacuated almost weekly due to a student throwing chairs and tables.

Parents at Echunga Primary School say a pupil has been terrorising classmates this year, even injuring a pregnant teacher during a violent outburst.

One parent, who did not wish to be named, said the expectant mother was brought to tears after the student hurled a table at her.

Dozens of families have pulled their children out of Echunga Primary over safety fears. Picture: Supplied

“He’s locked himself in classrooms, he’s constantly throwing chairs, constantly throwing tables, he’s smashed computers, he’s smashed TVs, he’s broken windows,” they said.

“He made a teacher cry by throwing a table at her, we found out later on that she was pregnant and the table had hit her in the belly.

“It’s detracting from their learning, they have to evacuate the classrooms for almost an hour at least once a week.”

The student has reportedly been suspended five times from the school this term alone.

They said dozens of families had pulled their children out of the tight-knit school, fearing their children could be injured during one of the outbursts.

“I get that all kids have a right to learn but not at the detriment of other children’s safety,” they said.

“I send my kid to school every day knowing that they are in a classroom environment that isn’t safe, all it would take is for something to be thrown and it hits a kid in the head in the wrong spot.”

One student reportedly threw a table at a teacher, who was pregnant at time. Picture: iStock

Another concerned parent said they were only learning of these incidents through their children, instead of the school.

“Behaviour management is out of control, there has been countless assaults and significant disruptive behaviour,” the parent said.

“The school is currently haemorrhaging families, we’ve probably lost over a dozen children in the last six months.

“I think pretty much every kid in that class in the last two years has suffered physical injuries, not to mention the psychological impact of being fearful of an outburst.”

An Education Department spokesperson said the teacher was provided with immediate support following the incident.

Parents say classrooms are evacuated almost weekly due to the student’s violent outbursts. Picture: iStock

“The department has provided a behaviour support coach to work directly with students to help address this behaviour, which will reduce incidents occurring and make the necessary long term behaviour improvements,” they said.

“Parents and carers are also involved, as their role in improving behaviour of their children is crucial.

“Echunga Primary School does not tolerate any unacceptable behaviour and takes immediate action whenever it occurs.”

It is just the latest in a string of violent outbursts at the school, with another student recently punching and spitting on a young classmate.

A whole-school assembly was recently abandoned after a third student launched a foul-mouthed tirade, including expletives and racial slurs, which The Advertiser has chosen not to include.

That student was suspended by the school.

Originally published as Spate of student violence incidents reported at Echunga Primary School