15yo boy questioned by police after Golden Grove High School incident

Parents have reacted to a violent incident at a troubled northern suburbs school, with a 15-year-old boy being questioned by police.

A northern suburbs school community has been rocked after a 15-year-old boy was questioned by police and may face court following a violent altercation on campus.

About 9.15am on Monday, police and an ambulance were called to Golden Grove High School following a violent altercation.

The alleged victim of the incident, a 15-year-old girl, was taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

A police vehicle at Golden Grove High School after reports of an assault. Picture: The Advertiser

When Northern District police arrived at the scene, they identified the suspect involved in the incident, a 15-year-old boy. He was reported for assault and may be summoned to attend court at a later date.

Golden Grove High School principal Peter Kuss said three students were involved in the incident  “with a drink being tipped over a student and another student’s hair pulled and their head hitting the ground”.

Golden Grove High School principal Peter Kuss. Picture: Morgan Sette

“Staff immediately provided first aid, contacted SA Ambulance Service and the families of those involved,” Mr Kuss said.

“As a result of the incident, disciplinary consequences will be applied.

“Violence is absolutely unacceptable and the school takes the safety of its students very seriously.”

SA Police were advised of the incident by a parent of a student involved. The school, as per its policy, intended to notify police until the parent did so, an Education Department spokeswoman said.

Parents of students were left shocked at the incident, saying they believed behaviour at the school had improved.

In 2022, Golden Grove High School was engulfed in controversy after a spate of violent incidents and anti-social behaviour.

Graphic fights between students were posted to social media.

But the school appeared to have turned a corner in 2023 after it employed security staff and instituted a behavioural program at the end of the previous year.

Parent Michael Oakley, 45, whose 13-year-old autistic son William was bashed at the school last year, said behaviour at Golden Grove was still “not good enough”.

Parent Michael Oakley who had a son with autism bashed by an older student. Picture: Mark Brake

In March last year, William was “held by a group of students and bashed black and blue”.

The school reported the incident to police the same day and the student was given a five-day suspension, before an additional 10-week exclusion.

At the time, an Education Department spokeswoman said they had been communicating extensively with Mr Oakley to support his son.

Another parent of two girls in years 7 and 10, who did not wish to be named, said she was left “upset and disappointed” at this latest incident after her eldest daughter experienced violence at the school in 2022.

“They bashed her and she lost her teeth,” the parent said.

Parents line-up to pick up their children at the Golden Grove High school pick-up zone. Picture: Mark Brake

“If I could afford it I would take her to a private school.”

She said the latest violence brought back memories of her daughter’s incident.

However Department for Education Chief Executive Professor Martin Westwell said he refuted any suggestion that student behaviour at Golden Grove was unchanged.

“This is simply not correct ...this school has seen a significant improvement in behaviour since 2022,” he said.

“Reported incidents of student violence at the school, and the number of students suspended have fallen significantly over the last two year.

Jason Schulz, 52, also has a daughter in year 9 and said the incident was “just horrible”.

“I was a bit shocked,” said Mr Schulz.

“But it’s going to happen regardless (of the school).”

Grandfather of a year 8 boy, Ian Denniss, was surprised at Monday’s incident as “it seemed to have settled down”.

“That’s one thing you don’t want to hear,” Mr Denniss, 69, from Greenwith, said.

“It’s very shocking and it makes me worried.

“I hear all the time that it’s good and the students seem to get on well.”

George Kovac’s daughter just started at the school in year 11 and said the incident was “horrible and absolutely shocking”.

Originally published as 15yo boy questioned by police after Golden Grove High School incident