Dad lashes Albert Park College’s handling of student brawl at school swimming carnival
The father of a boy suspended over a violent student brawl at a school swimming carnival says he is “appalled and dismayed” at the school’s “mixed messages” about the incident.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
UPDATE: The father of a boy suspended over a violent student brawl at Albert Park College’s swimming carnival last Thursday has lashed out at the school’s handling of the incident.
The dad, who the Leader has chosen not to name, said he was “appalled and dismayed” principal Steven Cook had “refused to meet with me or my son” until yesterday afternoon.
“His handling of this entire thing has been so inappropriate,” the man said.
The father, who said his son was “not a thug”, said Mr Cook told him the 17-year-old was not suspended but also “not welcome at the school”.
“He said, we haven’t made our mind up yet, he’s not suspended and he’s not expelled, he’s just not welcome here,” he said.
“Then he said he’d let us know a decision (on whether the boy could return to the school) on Monday.
“My gut feeling is my son and the other boy will be expelled.”
The dad said Mr Cook wouldn’t allow him to take notes during the meeting and said insisted on “signing off on any notes I did take”.
“He must be so worried about the media getting hold of information if he won’t let me take notes at a meeting about my son’s future.
“I’m beside myself over this and I’m between a rock and a hard place because I have two other kids at that school and I don’t want to make their lives difficult.”
Another parent said the Mr Cook did not address the incident with the wider community until five days after the swimming carnival.
The parent said they received a text message on Tuesday afternoon.
It comes as police say it could be weeks before they know if assault charges will be laid.
South Melbourne Senior Sergeant Eric Strik said police were reviewing footage and interviewing witnesses as part of the ongoing investigation.
“At the end of the day it was a scuffle between two hot-headed young blokes,” he said.
“Unfortunately it was in front of a group of Year 7s and 8s, younger children, which isn’t ideal.”
Sen-Sgt Strik said police were working closely with the school during the investigation.
An Education Department spokesman said the school was “working through disciplinary processes” and had been in “regular communication” with the families of the two students involved.
EARLIER: The school swimming carnival in Albert Park was marred by violence after police were called to break up a fight between two Year 12 students.
The Leader has been told a long-running dispute between the two Albert Park College students turned physical about 2.45pm last Thursday at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
Stunned parents and students watched on as punches were thrown before police arrived to break up the brawl.
The assault left a 17-year-old boy in hospital with serious injuries.
An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said the boy was taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Speaking exclusively to the Leader, the dad of one of the teens said his 17-year-old son was “not a thug”.
The dad, who Leader has chosen not to name, didn’t excuse his son’s behaviour but said the teen had been provoked over a long period of time, including allegedly being sent threatening text messages.
He said his son had been suspended indefinitely but the school had refused to meet with him until yesterday.
It is understood a group of Year 12 students had been drinking alcohol before attending the swimming event.
“We’re a week into the situation and the school hasn’t reached out to us at all, they’ve just cut my son loose and he’s totally beside himself about what’s happened,” the dad said.
“He’s not a thug, this wasn’t a wild attack out of nowhere.
“I’ve spoken to him about his choices, he shouldn’t have belted the other kid,” said the father, adding he did not believe the incident was unprovoked.
“(My son is) 17 years old, he made a mistake.”
It is believed up to 10 students have been disciplined over the incident.
The dad said his son had received death threats since the incident.
Albert Park College principal Steven Cook confirmed the “altercation” involving two students.
“We do not tolerate this type of behaviour at Albert Park College, which does not reflect our safe and supportive culture or the behaviour of the overwhelming majority of our students,” he told the Leader.
“We will be taking appropriate action.”
He did not elaborate on what action would be taken.
He also didn’t respond to questions about whether any students had been hurt.
The school said they would not comment further as the incident was being investigated by police.
Police confirmed they attended the incident last Thursday and arrested a teenage boy.
The victim attended South Melbourne police station the following to make a formal report.
“Police interviewed another 17-year-old boy in relation to affray, recklessly cause injury and assault,” Leading Senior Constable Adam West said.
MORE LEADER NEWS:
BUS DRIVER STOOD DOWN AFTER REFUSING GUIDE DOG
BLACK SATURDAY SURVIVOR RETURNS TO BUSHFIRE FRONTLINE
FEARS OF PUBLIC LOCKOUT AT SOUTH MELBOURNE TOWN HALL
The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been laid at this stage.
The swimming carnival continued as normal after the fight.
The school, which opened in 2010, has about 1300 students across three campuses and boasts VCE results in the top 10 percentile of the state.
In 2019, the school’s year 12 students achieved a median study score of 31 and 17 per cent of students attained an Australian Tertiary Admission Ranking above 90, Mr Cook said in the latest newsletter.