Whyalla high school fight: Parents plead for action after shocking schoolgirl attack

Parents say footage of a shocking schoolyard onslaught at Whyalla is just the tip of the iceberg, with kids forced out of school and fearing for their safety.

Whyalla parents have pleaded for action over a startling video of a vicious schoolyard attack, saying children are “terrified” to go to school amid escalating violence.

Footage emerged yesterday of a shocking onslaught at Whyalla Secondary College that left a 16-year-old in hospital with facial injuries. Following investigations, on Wednesday police arrested a girl, 15, and charged her with assault causing harm.

The video shows the attacker screaming and swearing as she throws a teenager to the ground during the recess break.

A 15-year-old has now been arrested over the ugly brawl, but Whyalla residents say violence at the school is endemic.

Video shows Whyalla Secondary College student being kicked, stomped on during vicious schoolyard bashing

A sickening attack has played out in front of stunned students at Whyalla Secondary College. Picture: 7NEWS

The new $100 million ‘super school’ replaced Stuart, Edward John Eyre and Whyalla high schools when it opened this year, siphoning 1500 students into one campus.

One woman, whose niece works at the high school, said teachers felt like they were being “sent to the lions” and have requested security to assist during yard duty.

A Whyalla father, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Advertiser that violence got to the point his son was forced to move to Samaritan College – now the only other secondary school in the area.

“He went every day without eating because he didn’t feel comfortable going to get his lunch from his locker, because that’s where a lot of kids hang out,” he said.

Another young mother described the College like “prison” and said offending children “knew they couldn’t be touched”.

Parents say violence has been escalating at the Whyalla super school.

“We all feel stuck and helpless, we are sending our children into what feels like a prison yard,” she said.

“All we can do is tell our kids to keep their heads down and not speak. They hide and try to be as invisible as possible in the hopes they don’t end up a target like many have.”

Education Union Branch President Andrew Gohl said the incident had left a number of teachers at the school shaken.

“One (teacher) in particular I am told was left distressed by what they witnessed,” he told The Advertiser.

Mr Gohl said teacher shortages, Covid-19 and the amalgamation of schools created a “perfect storm” for disruptive behaviour.

“The school is brand new and has the task of creating a new culture … you’ve had staff who’ve been in and out over Term 1 which has compromised their capacity to establish effective learning relationships,” Mr Gohl said.

“The Department of Education has a responsibility to ensure a safe environment and they need a dramatic injection of staff to support that.”

Discussions with the school’s leaders last term revealed concerns over workloads and high turnover of staff, the union leader said.

Opposition education spokesman John Gardner has called for an urgent investigation into the incident.

“Every parent in South Australia has the very reasonable expectation that when their kids are going to school, they’re getting an excellent education in a safe environment,” Gardner said.

Originally published as Whyalla high school fight: Parents plead for action after shocking schoolgirl attack