Keilor Heights Primary School teachers feel unsafe amid attacks by students

Teachers at the primary school in Melbourne’s north say they are under “constant stress” amid a rise in assaults and threats by aggressive students.

Teachers at a primary school in Melbourne’s north say they are “too scared” to work, amid vicious assaults and threats by students.

The Herald Sun can reveal Keilor Heights Primary School teachers are under “constant stress”, saying they have been targeted by aggressive students in recent months.

It’s understood a number of teachers have lodged WorkCover claims due to the assaults and mental stress.

In one confronting incident, a teacher was set upon and attacked by an 11-year old student at recess on May 30.

The attack occurred after she stepped in to assist another student that was being grabbed by the neck and “swung around in circles”.

Onlookers who witnessed the terrifying incident said the year 6 boy became aggressive when the female teacher tried to protect the other student involved.

“It was extremely confronting to watch, this boy was hitting the teacher constantly as he was frustrated that she had stepped in to help,” one witness said.

The Herald Sun is also aware of other serious incidents including fights between students in the schoolyard and instances of bullying.

A teacher said staff members felt “unsafe” and “unsupported” when incidents occur.

Teachers at Keilor Heights Primary School say they are being put in ‘confronting’ situations.

“Teachers are being put in very confronting situations that make them feel too scared to do their jobs,” the teacher said.

“Psychologically it’s not safe for teachers and there is a big lack of support and follow-up when an incident does occur.

“Teachers’ mental health and wellbeing is coming last, when in fact nothing is being done to address students’ bad behaviour.”

Another teacher said there was a “serious disregard” for the wellbeing of staff members.

“Teachers are under constant stress and our safety and wellbeing is being ignored by leadership,” they said.

A parent, whose child attends the school, said the Department of Education needed to do more to protect students and staff.

“It’s very concerning when your child comes home and tells you about another student being bullied or teachers being assaulted,” she said.

“The Department needs to put better strategies in place to protect students and teachers. There are some fantastic teachers at the school and it would be a shame to lose them.”

In 2019, parents of Keilor Heights Primary students said violence at the school peaked when another confronting incident occurred.

At the time, the Department of Education confirmed the assault, saying the school had supported students and “appropriate action” had been taken.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said staff safety and wellbeing was its highest priority.

“Following an incident that occurred at Keilor Heights Primary School towards the end of last term, support has been put in place for an affected staff member,” she said.