Student assaults school-based police officer at Mareeba State High School

A 15-year-old student has allegedly assaulted a school-based officer in Far North Queensland following “unresolved tensions” over a brawl involving up to 20 kids.

Police were called to Mareeba State High School on Thursday. Picture: File

A 15-year-old student has allegedly assaulted a school-based officer in Far North Queensland following “unresolved tensions” over a brawl involving up to 20 kids just two months ago.

A spokeswoman from Queensland Police said they responded to reports of an assault at Mareeba State High School, 63km west of Cairns, about 11.30am on April 18.

“It will be alleged two students, including a 15-year-old Mareeba (student) became involved in an altercation, before the 15-year-old boy assaulted the school-based police officer,” the spokeswoman said.

No one was injured, and the 15-year-old was dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.

It follows another fight on February 7 in which parents who spoke to the Cairns Post said they had lodged complaints with the Queensland Education Department over the incident not being dealt with.

One parent said there were “unresolved tensions” that were going to “blow over” following the brawl.

Another parent described the fight as a “mob attack of 15 students on one child”.

“One kid came in, circled. Then another grabbed him by the hair. Another punched him in the face. Then they were all kicking and punching the living crap out of him,” the mother said.

She said other students dived in “to try to save the boy being attacked”.

“One student dived on top to try to save them, he received a concussion,” she said.

“Another had major bruising down one side of the face. Another had bruising from his head down to the waist area. Police arrived and took statements and photographs.

“It took nearly every single teacher in the school to break up that fight.”

Tensions have been simmering since the February 7 incident where children are being called “devil boys” by other students.

It’s understood every student involved in the fight was suspended but parents say students are still scared following the incident.

“My children won’t go into town by themselves. They won’t ride their bikes. I have had to change my shifts at work as a result,” the mother said.

A third parent has also spoken out about what she thinks was a inadequate response by the school.

“My boy got bashed and went to the hospital. He got suspended for 10 days like the rest of them,” she said.
“He stepped in to help the boy. The principal called us in to ask us what we suggest happens – we said we think teachers need to pair up and roam around, or that the school needs a security guard.

“My son left the town for several days to stay with relatives after the incident because he was scared.”

The parents said name-calling had continued after the incident.

No charges have been laid over either fight.

A spokesman from the Queensland Education Department said: “The department is aware of a behaviour incident that occurred at Mareeba State High School (last week) which required Queensland Police Service intervention.”

Originally published as Student assaults school-based police officer at Mareeba State High School