Schoolyard crisis: Consequences will flow from brutal bashings

An outraged Education Minister has demanded answers and said there will be consequences for those responsible for a spate of brutal schoolyard bashings at an NT high school – all captured in graphic detail. WARNING: DISTRESSING

An outraged Northern Territory Education Minister Jo Hersey has demanded answers and said there will be consequences for those responsible for a spate of brutal schoolyard bashings at Katherine High School – all captured in graphic detail on student smart phones.

The recorded bashings, uglier than many street fights, have been provided to this publication by a concerned parent and reveal a horrific schoolyard crisis.

Katherine High School parents say their children go to school every day in fear of being bashed in the schoolyard or on the bus meant to deliver them safely to and from school.

They have told of their children self harming because of the brutality and torment they are subjected to at the high school.

Others told of having to take their children out of school and keep them home for their safety.

“I fear it is only a matter of time before someone dies,” a traumatised parent told the NT News.

School attendance officers talk to NT minister for education and training Jo Hersey Picture: Gera Kazakov

Education and Training Minister and Member for Katherine, Jo Hersey said the community should rightly be outraged, “as I am”.

“I am aware of the incidents that occurred at Katherine High School and I understand the community’s concerns, especially those of parents of students at Katherine High School,” Minister Hersey said.

“What we have seen in that video is appalling, and I have spoken to the Department of Education and Training and requested a full briefing.

“I have seen many videos of the fighting and as a mother, it is appalling that this can happen to a child.

Footage has captured a series of brutal schoolyard fights in Katherine.

“I have spoken to the mother of the girl in one of the videos, and she is concerned for the ongoing mental health and wellbeing of her child.

“Police have been informed and are involved.

“The wellbeing and safety of our students and staff is my priority and violence in any form in our schools is unacceptable.”

Minister Hersey’s comments came shortly before the NT News was notified of yet another Katherine High School bashing which saw a female student taken to hospital with an eye injury.

Katherine High School in crisis. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

It is understood following the incident a pair of scissors was confiscated, but the NT News has been told they were not used in the fight.

In horrific student mobile phone footage the NT News has seen, a frenzied pack of students launch into an attack on a lone male Katherine High student with one of the many attackers jumping high into the air to land full force on the head and body of the victim, who it is understood was left bloodied after the incident.

In other footage from another sickening bashing a young female student is subjected to a prolonged beating by another female student.

Just when you think the beating has stopped the attacker returns to drag the victim to the ground and deal out further ferocious kicks to the victim’s body, ribs and face.

Footage has captured a series of brutal schoolyard fights in Katherine.

A separate recorded incident on the school oval of yet another bashing leaves the young female victim screaming in agony with what the NT News was told was a broken leg.

Minister Hersey said the Education Department was now working closely with Katherine High School over the crisis that has beset the school.

“We will do everything we can to make sure students are safe in our schools … there will be consequences,” she said.

“I know that some of these students in the fights have been suspended.”