Three Bonalbo Central School students suspended after alleged Nazi salute

The students were suspended after allegedly ‘goosestepping and giving the Sieg Heil salute’ in front of their school in the state’s north, actions that have been condemned by the Education Minister as ‘completely unacceptable’.

Bonalbo Central School. Picture: Facebook

Three students have been suspended after allegedly performing a Nazi salute in front of their school in the state’s north with the Education Minister left “deeply” concerned.

The Daily Telegraph understands the alleged incident took place at the end of the school day at Bonalbo Central School in the Upper Clarence Valley on Wednesday where it is claimed the three students “goosestepped in front of the secondary students and gave the Sieg Heil salute”.

The matter has been reported to police which confirmed youth command officers have been liaising with the school.

A NSW Police spokesman said officers received a report of “inappropriate activity” at a school in Bonalbo on Wednesday.

Education Minister and Deputy Premier Prue Car said anti-Semitic behaviour was “completely unacceptable, and particularly so in our schools” where students should feel welcomed.

Education Minister Prue Car said the behaviour was “completely unacceptable”. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

“There is absolutely no place for bigotry, racism or anti-Semitism anywhere in NSW,” Ms Car said.

“Every child has the right to feel respected and safe, and instances like this are deeply concerning.”

The Education Minister supported the school taking “swift action to suspend the students”.

An Education Department spokesman said the behaviour was “unacceptable” and confirmed the students had been suspended before declaring “strong disciplinary action” would be taken.

“Racism and intolerance have no place in our schools,” the spokesman said.

“Everyone has the right to be safe and free from discrimination or harassment.”

A source with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be identified told the Telegraph the alleged incident should be made public to show that anti-Semitism wasn’t “just a thing that’s happening in Sydney and Melbourne”, but affected the broader community.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies President David Ossip said the alleged incident was “disturbing and completely unacceptable”.

“Something has gone terribly wrong when kids are allegedly performing Nazi salutes in schools,” he said.

“The kids are either ignorant of what these hateful salutes represent which would be bad enough or, worse, are engaging in the acts with knowledge and intent.”