Students expelled after violent brawl at Berwick College
The mother of three students expelled after a wild brawl at Berwick College that was caught on camera says her sons have been “left in the dark”, and she’s taken drastic action in a bid to force a meeting with the principal.
South East
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The mother of three students expelled from Berwick College for involvement in a violent brawl last month staged a sit-in at the school in a bid to force a meeting with the principal.
The mum says she’s furious about the expulsion of her teenage children and claims the school has not been open to talking with her since she was told on September 6 her boys couldn’t return.
“I was called by the principal who said my sons were expelled and it’s now been her duty to find them another school — but nothing has eventuated,” the mother said.
“My three sons have been left in the dark with no education.”
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She said after sitting at the college yesterday, she had been told the principal would meet with her today.
“If nothing happens, I will go there every day. All I want is five minutes of the principal’s time to explain why my kids aren’t getting an education,” she said.
The fight involving 15-20 students at the Manuka Rd campus last month was caught on film which at one point showed the vice-principal appearing appeared to hold the student in a headlock in a desperate bid to break up the fight.
Following the release of the footage many students jumped to the defence of the teacher.
The fight forced the school into lockdown, with students ordered to seek refuge under desks in their classrooms until police arrived.
The mum doesn’t deny her sons’ involvement in the violent schoolyard incident but claims they were defending themselves and each other.
“Justice needs to be across the whole board of all parties involved not just one side,” she said.
Leading Australian psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said it was very important for young people to experience consequences.
“When they experience inconvenience, it gives them the opportunity to rethink their behaviour. But, the teenage brain is a work in progress and it’s not wise from a societal point of view to excessively punish them,” Dr-Carr-Gregg said.
“Parents need to support a school’s decision but following that I would expect them to advocate on behalf of their kids and help them get schooling elsewhere.”
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Child and educational psychologist Andrew Greenfield said it was “extremely challenging” for students that had been expelled to find a new school.
“It’s incredibly difficult for them and it can lead students to feel a sense of helplessness and that they’ll never change, which isn’t usually the case,” Mr Greenfield said.
“It can also lead to children getting stuck in a rut and everyone does deserve a second chance depending on the circumstances.”
An Education Department spokeswoman said expelled students were provided with “transition support to a find a suitable alternative educational setting as soon as possible”.
She said plans were well underway to transition the three former Berwick students.
“Expulsions are always a last resort, however, there are instances when they may become necessary,” the spokeswoman said.
“When they do occur, we have a rigorous expulsion process in place to ensure a fair decision.”