Jo Hersey slams school vandalism after Sadadeen Primary, Ross Park Primary targeted

Two Red Centre schools will be ready for students after being hit by vandals this week – but it is yet unclear how much they’ll have to fork out to repair the smashed windows and punched-in walls.

Sadadeen Primary School was vandalised earlier this week, with its damage bill yet to be confirmed. Picture: Alex Treacy

It remains unclear how much money two Alice Springs primary schools will have to fork out after they were senselessly trashed by vandals who smashed classroom windows and punched holes through walls.

NT Police reported Sadadeen Primary School had been broken into late on Sunday night into early Monday morning, by a group who smashed several windows and punched in walls.

While no items were reported as stolen, authorities estimated the damage to have exceeded $5000.
On Thursday, a Department of Education spokesman confirmed repair work remained underway.

Ross Park Primary School was also targeted by vandals. Picture: Ross Park Primary School

One kilometre away, Ross Park Primary School was also targeted in the same week, with its administration block damaged, as well as multiple classroom windows smashed.

The spokesman did not confirm what the total damage bill was for either school, but assured both would be open for the beginning of term four.

Education Minister Jo Hersey lashed the destructive behaviour.

“People deserve to be safe and this behaviour is absolutely unacceptable,” she told this masthead.

Education Minister Jo Hersey says the break-ins underscore the need for law changes this month. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Hersey claimed the school break-ins highlighted the need for law changes with the commencement of NT Parliament this month.

“This is why we took to the election our plan to reduce crime and address root causes,” she said.

“Starting in two weeks time when we will pass stronger laws, including Declan’s Law – which will see serious violent offenders start with a position on no bail.”

The Alice Springs break-ins follow the vandalism attack on Tennant Creek High School in late August, which forced the school to close its doors to students until the damage could be repaired.