Investigation ordered into schoolgirls’ plot to poison classmate
TWO girls from a Victorian school planned to put chemicals in a classmate’s drink bottle. The Education Minister said he was “shocked” by the story.
TWO Melbourne schoolgirls planned to poison a classmate in a plot described on Thursday as “a shocking example of student behaviour”.
Victoria’s Education Minister James Merlino addressed the story after it was revealed by the Herald Sun earlier in the week.
The newspaper reported the girls, who were not named, had been expelled from a Melbourne school after their dangerous plan was discovered by staff.
Teachers at the school reportedly discovered chemicals in one of the girls’ lockers. She was allegedly planning to add the chemicals to a fellow student’s drink bottle.
The newspaper exposed the case from March last year on Monday. Documents released under Freedom of Information alleged the students planned to carry out the action “with the intent to kill”.
Both girls were expelled but it has since emerged one girl successfully appealed her expulsion and returned to the school. The victim took out a restraining order and then left the school. She did not wish to press charges.
Mr Merlino would not discuss the matter in detail on Thursday but did say an independent probe had been ordered to establish how his department handled the plot when it was first reported.
He has ordered Independent Office for School Dispute Resolution chair Francis Handy to investigate whether correct processes were followed.
“As the minister for education and as a parent, it is my expectation that the protection of children is central to every decision we make,” he said in a statement.
“Victorians deserve to have confidence in our expulsion and suspension system, and that is why I have ordered this investigation.”
The ABC reports Mr Merlino was “shocked” by the story.
“It's a shocking individual case and it’s shocking because of its nature and because it’s so rare,” he said.
“As more information has been provided to me about this matter over the last few days, I’ve become increasingly concerned.”
The story follows news that violence is rising in Victorian schools. Attacks on students rose by 36 per cent last year.
— with AAP