Pedare Christian College principal James Tamblyn issues statement about disciplinary action taken over ‘fight club’ videos

The college at the centre of a toilet block ‘fight club’ says it has taken action. Read the principal’s statement.

• Watch: Private school ‘fight club’

The principal of an Adelaide private school where students were involved in a toilet block ‘fight club’ says the college has taken disciplinary action – but stopped short of giving more details.

The Advertiser revealed disturbing videos on Wednesday of teen boys at Pedare Christian College brawling in a school bathroom.

Principal James Tamblyn has told The Advertiser that parents were “informed about the matter and the prompt disciplinary action taken by the college”.

“For privacy and wellbeing reasons, the college does not comment on matters involving individual students,” he said.

“The safety and wellbeing of our students remains our highest priority.”

The Advertiser asked Mr Tamblyn to elaborate on what kind of action the school took and for how many students, but he declined.

Pedare Christian College students, Adelaide, fighting in the school bathroom. Picture: Supplied

Pedare Christian College students, Adelaide, fighting in the school bathroom. Picture: Supplied

It is understood college Mr Tamblyn sent an email about the incident to parents on Wednesday afternoon, after being contacted by The Advertiser.

But parents interviewed at the school on Thursday morning said they had been unaware of the fighting.

“It’s not ideal as you want your kids to be safe at school,” said one father, who wished to remain anonymous.

“It’s pretty full on, they’re throwing some decent punches.”

Mr Tamblyn would not confirm, when asked on Wednesday, whether the fights or videos had been reported to police.

A SA Police spokeswoman responded to inquiries on Thursday, confirming that the incident “has not been reported to police”.

Mr Tamblyn also would not clarify if parents had been notified about the fighting before The Advertiser contacted the school.

He said the school has “diligently worked our way through following policy and procedure … in response to the behaviour that’s obviously outside our expectations.”

“The safety and wellbeing of students and staff and community members is always our highest priority,” he said.

Another parent at the school gate called on the college to better enforce its mobile phone ban, as well as punish the students involved.

“The fact they have phones now encourages them to do it, but they shouldn’t have them in the first place,” the parent said.

Mr Tamblyn said the college imposed a mobile phone ban which required students to leave any phones in their locker.

Pedare Christian College students, Adelaide, fighting in the school bathroom. Picture: Supplied

Pedare Christian College students, Adelaide, fighting in the school bathroom. Picture: Supplied

“We have a policy that students shouldn’t have access to their phones at all during the day,” he said.

Multiple videos seen by The Advertiser show male students wearing Pedare sport uniforms fighting each other, or chanting from the sidelines.

In one video students can be heard yelling “get him!” and “oh sh*t!” as two boys face off in front of a urinal.

The boys lunge at each other before throwing kicks and punches and grabbing each other around the torso.

In another video a student urges others to “make sure no one’s coming” before a fight begins.

One of the boys cops a kick to the abdomen before doubling over and falling to the ground.

Originally published as Pedare Christian College principal James Tamblyn issues statement about disciplinary action taken over ‘fight club’ videos