Why this Australian primary school student is banned from the canteen

An 11-year-old student has been banned from using the school canteen for more than a year over a row between his mother and staff.

An 11-year-old student has been banned from using the school canteen for more than a year over a row between his mother and staff.

Natalie Durer sent a letter to the P&C labelling canteen staff incompetent in August 2023 after she claimed her son Jaxon’s lunch order wasn’t filled and he was left hungry.

The note featured statements such as “If I could report you to the DCP for child abuse, I would” and “can you actually read”, claims a letter from the people who run the canteen.

After being lectured by Mike Wills, the principal of Hocking Primary in Perth’s north, Ms Durer then sent an apology that simply read the word “sorry”, according to the West Australian.

A Hocking Primary school student has been banned from the school canteen. Picture: Hocking Primary school

She has since acknowledged that these two actions were inappropriate and claimed she has made repeated attempts to smooth over the situation as her son feels left out when he can’t order lunch.

Ms Durer even claimed that when a friend tried to order Jaxon’s butter chicken on his behalf they were also threatened with a ban.

“We teach our children that if your words or actions hurt people, that you should apologise, atone for what you’ve done, ask for forgiveness and move on,” she told the publication, adding her son is being punished for her mistake.

But canteen staff simply weren’t having it and the ban has remained in place despite the Western Australian Department of Education stepping in to try and mediate and Ms Durer’s repeated attempts to remedy the situation.

A letter from the P&C said they needed to protect staff from abuse and that no orders would be allowed for Jaxon.

He was banned after a dispute his mum had with staff. Picture: iStock

Cheryl Townsend, Director of Education, North Metropolitan Education Region, told news.com.au: “The Department is aware of a decision made by the school’s Parents and Citizens group involving a student.

“We have been working with the parent group to try and reach a resolution that is in the best interests of the child.

“While inappropriate behaviour toward volunteers and paid canteen workers is never appropriate, schools manage these situations to ensure positive relationships within school communities are maintained, as this is essential to the efficient running of schools.

“We will continue to mediate between the P&C and the parent and work towards a positive resolution.”

News.com.au has contacted Hocking Primary School and Ms Durer for comment.

Originally published as Why this Australian primary school student is banned from the canteen