The ‘senseless, criminal acts’ of vandalism that cost 300 Victorian schools $2.38m in one year

Exclusive documents reveal almost 300 schools in one state alone were hit by vandals last year. See the atrocious damage bill – including one attack that cost a whopping $279,000.

Victoria’s public schools forked out more than $2m on property damage repairs last year, after buildings were set on fire, bricks were thrown through windows and water meters were stolen.

Documents exclusively obtained by the Herald Sun under Freedom of Information laws revealed the true extent of vandalism and break-ins at almost 300 primary, secondary and combined state schools in 2024, with the total bill costing $2.38m.

Deanside Primary School in Melbourne’s west spent the most on repairs, with one claim alone in September last year costing a whopping $279,700.

The Herald Sun asked the Department of Education for details surrounding what contributed to such a large sum of money being spent, but no information was provided.

Sunshine College made the equal-most reports of property damage with 11 incidents costing the school almost $135k, with one claim alone more than $29k.

Most reports were made in March, about the same time looters broke into the school several times to steal copper parts, leaving the campus without power, heating and hot water.

Berwick Chase Primary in the southeast also made 11 reports of property damage, totalling $29k, while 10 incidents at Knox Primary resulted in a $14k bill.

The documents also revealed an arson attack at specialist school Heatherwood in Donvale in September last year cost $38k.

Australian Principals Federation President Tina King said school vandalism was a “senseless and criminal act” with repercussions that extended far beyond damage to buildings and grounds.

“It deprives children of safe and supportive learning environments, diverts scarce resources away from classrooms, and places an unnecessary burden on principals and teachers who are already under immense pressure,” she said.

“Every incident of vandalism represents funds that should have been invested in educational programs, student wellbeing, and the future of our young people.

“Our schools are places of learning and opportunity, not targets for destruction.”

Rangebank Primary School spent $3360 repairing an air conditioner that was kicked off a roof in September 2024. Picture: Supplied

Mountain Gate Primary School spent $1500 repairing vandalised gym doors January 2024. Picture: Supplied

A smashed gym door cost Mountain Gate Primary school more than $1500 in January last year, with this figure more than doubling for Woady Yaloak Primary in regional western Victoria where an admin door required $3227 in repairs two months later.

An airconditioning unit kicked off the roof at Rangebank Primary in Cranbourne put the school out of pocket $3366, while Lysterfield Primary spent more than $1800 after a brick was thrown through a window.

Victorian Principals Association president Andrew Dalgleish said it was disappointing schools had to spend so much of their budgets on repairing damage caused by vandals, adding the last thing he wanted to see was “huge fences around our schools”.

“Earlier this term there was an announcement around actively opening up more school facilities to communities to use for organised sports,” he said.

“There is a genuine intent to do that but again principals can become reluctant should damage be done because of the workload and then the loss of being able to use (that property) for a period of time during the school day.

“We love for the community to use those facilities but it is disappointing to come in and find damage done deliberately.”

Lysterfield Primary School spent $1879 repairing a smashed window after a brick was thrown through it in July 2024. Picture: Supplied

Newborough Primary School spent $2151 repairing graffiti and damage to doors in May 2024. Picture: Supplied

A Department of Education spokesman said government schools were equipped with 24/7 alarm monitoring and CCTV surveillance to deter and identify vandals.

“Vandalism, theft, and damage to school property are criminal offences that disrupt learning and undermine the safety of school communities and are taken seriously,” he said.

“Serious incidents are referred to Victoria Police.”

The Department is self-insured for incidents and events including vandalism.

Opposition education spokeswoman Jess Wilson said with the repair bill running into the millions, the government “must explain what measures it is putting in place to keep school grounds secure and prevent offences like these from occurring”.

Originally published as The ‘senseless, criminal acts’ of vandalism that cost 300 Victorian schools $2.38m in one year