‘Disgusting’: Lewd questions at Geelong primary school, parents allege

There are growing concerns among parents following another alleged incident at a troubled Geelong primary school.

Police have attended Mandama Primary School in Grovedale multiple times this year. Picture: Alison Wynd.

A man working on-site at a Geelong primary school asked female students inappropriate questions about their attire, parents allege.

Officers from Geelong’s Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team were called to Mandama Primary School (MPS) on May 24 after a contracted worker allegedly asked two girls to show him if they were wearing a “crop top”.

The man was not a teacher or involved in a classroom role.

Police investigated the matter but no charges were laid.

A parent, who asked to remain anonymous as to protect her children’s identities, said she was deeply concerned about safety at the school.

“It’s absolutely disgusting,” she said.

“Parents were calling the school, trying to find out what happened … we’re kept in the dark.

“(Our) kids come home and tell us what happens, and the parents start calling the school, then they send something out (to inform us).

“There are so many parents who want change.”

The parent said her children were “petrified” and that she had considered enrolling them elsewhere.

“I would love to move my kids (to another school), but they are settled, all their friends are there, but I’m on standby … (but) if they’re not safe, I’ll have to move them,” she said.

The Grovedale school, which has approximately 400 students, has a troubled history.

Student violence has seen police attend on multiple occasions this year, including recently in May when a boy pulled a knife.

In 2016, police were called after a man reportedly grabbed a young boy in the toilets.

Another parent said there had been several “precautionary” lockdowns in recent months due to unruly student behaviour.

She said she felt scared to speak up about her concerns for fear of repercussions, but wanted reassurance from the school that her children were safe.

“We don’t know what’s happening,” she said.

“A lot of parents feel like they don’t know if their kids are safe at school or not.”

A Department of Education spokeswoman said student safety and wellbeing was the school’s top priority.

Originally published as ‘Disgusting’: Lewd questions at Geelong primary school, parents allege