Principal slams 'obsessive' father over bullying ‘campaign’
The father of a teen punched in the face at school was labelled as “obsessive” by the principal after he lodged a complaint.
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THE father of a teenager who was punched in the face at school was labelled as "obsessive" by the principal after he lodged a complaint with the Department of Education.
An email obtained under the Right to Information Act showed Meridan State College's executive principal Julie Kornmann telling a complaints management officer that Leo Anderson was "quite obsessive" and that she had enough of "his campaign".
Mr Anderson had lodged a complaint with the department's North Coast office when he felt like the school wasn't taking action to mitigate bullying.
School records showed his son was left covered in red marks after he was punched multiple times in the face, neck and chest on November 22 last year.
"More needs to be done at school to deal with bullying because the attack in November could have been prevented,' Mr Anderson said.
"Because the problem hasn't been dealt with properly I fear that more is going on and my son doesn't feel like he can tell anyone about it."
Prior to the November attack, Mr Anderson said his son had been bullied for months, evidenced by contact his wife had made with the school in June 2018.
After most of the issues Mr Anderson raised with the department were dismissed, he requested the documents that led to its decisions.
The email he obtained had comments about himself as well as a request from Ms Kornmann that information about a suspension letter being altered not be given to him.
"My impression of Mr Anderson is that he is quite obsessive and this could enrage him and motivate him to continue his campaign- and we've all had enough!" the email read.
"He thinks he has had a win here so it might be best for all if we allow him to continue thinking this."
She said she was also happy to be the contact for any further concerns Mr Anderson had.
Mr Anderson said he just wanted his son to feel safe at school and for reports of bullying to be taken seriously.
His son, who was in Year 7 last year, was offered a change of class and asked to participate in the 2019 Rock and Water resilience building program at his school.
But this term's program was cancelled due to a staff member being on leave.
A spokeswoman from the department said Mr Anderson's complaint was a sensitive matter which was being treated "very seriously".
"The department and all Queensland state schools have a zero tolerance approach to bullying," the spokeswoman said.
"For privacy reasons, the department is unable to provide further comment on this matter."
Originally published as Principal slams 'obsessive' father over bullying ‘campaign’