Parents allege gang violence and bullying at Moreton Bay School

Terrified parents of students at a school north of Brisbane say their children have been subjected to 10 months of stalking, intimidation, gang violence and more – and are asking what can be done about it.

Emergency Services: Police Photo Bev Lacey / The Chronicle

Parents of students at a Moreton Bay school say they have run out of options to cease ongoing alleged violence from a group of alleged gang member’s targeting their children both in and outside of the school gates.

One parent from the Moreton Bay school alleged their 16-year-old son and about 12 of his friends had been the targets of bullying, intimidation, death and stabbing threats, gang violence, stalking, group bashings, and more.

They alleged it has been going on for at least 10 months, but have asked for more from the school to properly address concerns.

“We don’t find out about (alleged bullying or assaults) until our kids return home to tell us and that’s just not good enough.

One parent alleged the “attacks are ongoing, unprovoked, brutal and relentless”.

“Our boys are being jumped by a large group of the bullies who claim to be in a gang and then they take turns punching and kicking them in the heads,” the parent claimed.

According to parents, tensions escalated after a dispute on the sporting field and things have since spun out of control.

“This gang has continued to target this friend group with intimidation, threats, death threats, more fights on and off the sports field, being jumped walking out of the school gate,” they said.

“They can’t even go and live a normal childhood outside of school. They have been targeted repeatedly in the public since the school attacks started. They can’t go to the shopping centre, ride their bikes, play basketball, or even go skateboarding as the gang continues to target them.

“The gang has threatened the parents of these children repeatedly, taken photos of all the children, parents, parent’s cars, workplaces and houses,” the parent alleged.

“They are showing up at their workplaces and harassing them, throwing things at them, threatening harm to them, threatening to shoot up houses, threatening to shoot them at school, and threatening to stab them at school.”

Thursday, July 18, 2019 (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Allegedly, members of this gang have even threatened the parents of their victims.

“We wanted to get orders against the gang, but because of their ages, there is nothing that can be done to protect these innocent families,” a parent said.

Queensland Police has been contacted for comment.

It is understood some of the alleged gang members have been charged, as police continue interviewing those involved as part of their investigations.

The parent said the 10 months of alleged bullying and gang violence would have a lasting effect on the victims.

“They have lost their livelihood, put their jobs at risk by having to take time off for safety and their schooling has been put in jeopardy,” they said.

“They have had to take time off because of safety concerns with no offers of support or extensions due to it not being a medical issue.

“The stress, anxiety, pressure and intimidation they have felt is not okay.

“More laws need to be put in place to protect innocent people. Regardless of their ages, more laws need to be put in place to stop the constant gang violence that is happening every day.”

The state department of education released a statement on the matter to Quest News.

Generic picture – from file.

“Schools are part of the community and have an important role to play, in partnership with families, to support young people to be safe and respectful to others,” it read.

“(The school) has a Student Code of Conduct developed in consultation with parents, students and staff.

The school is informing parents of incidents on the day they occur, where this information is made available to school staff. The college will always meet parents if they want to.

“The department is working with principals, teachers and school staff on the supports and strategies required to maximise the days of learning for every student.

“Principals use graduated responses and a range of disciplinary consequences to respond to inappropriate student behaviour.

“When making disciplinary decisions, principals balance the individual circumstances and actions of the student with the need to ensure the safety of all students, staff and school community members.

“In late February, the school reinforced behaviour expectations and consequences for misconduct directly to students, in a whole-of-college assembly.

“The school regularly communicates student behaviour expectations with parents and caregivers as per the Student Code of Conduct.

“Parents and caregivers are strongly encouraged to report any concerns to the principal or the school leadership team directly so they can be appropriately considered.”