Young Student Jordan told by teachers to make friends with bully who attacked him

The parents of a young teen left concussed and with PTSD after a shocking attack by a fellow student are outraged by the school telling the boy he had to “make friends” with the attacker.

October 30, 2024: Year 7 student Jordan getting bullied by other students at Aberfoyle Park High School . Picture: Kelly Barnes

The parents of a 13-year-old boy left swollen, concussed and with PTSD hallucinations after a brutal attack by a fellow student are outraged that the school told the victim to make friends with his attacker.

Aberfoyle Park High School student Jordan was concussed and suffered a bruised eye socket and golf-sized lump on his head after being repeatedly struck across the face with a pencil case by another boy. His laptop was also smashed against a wall.

Year 7 student Jordan was left swollen, concussed and with PTSD hallucinations after a brutal attack. Picture: Kelly Barnes

It followed what Jordan’s parents say was a year of racially charged and demeaning insults directed at their son, who is of part-Asian heritage, by the other student.

It is the school’s reaction that has left the boy’s parents particularly angry and worried for their son, who is now seeing a counsellor because he is having panic attacks and daily suicidal thoughts.

Jordan’s mother Jessica Mathers said the school suspended the perpetrator for several days and has since relied on what it calls an “integration approach.”

She claims that the school says its approach has been successful and the boys are “now best friends”, but she disputes thatis the case.

Jordan’s parents said it was “ridiculous” that the school is suggesting the boys are friends again, when their son remains fearful of attending school. Picture: Kelly Barnes

However, Jordan told The Advertiser he only interacts with his attacker because he is scared of getting bashed again and also worried he will get into trouble with teachers if he says he doesn’t want to interact with him.

“I believe it is absolutely ridiculous they are forcing this on children after they have been assaulted,” Ms Mathers said.

Ms Mathers said during the incident on August 26 on school grounds, the attacker called Jordan a number of racist names then picked up Jordan’s laptop and smashed it against the wall.

He then picked up a heavy, full pencil case, hitting him across the face several times at full force.

In a letter to Davenport MP Erin Thompson Ms Mathers wrote that “while the school’s wellbeing team has been excellent”, the school’s leaders “initially told (us we) would have to pay for a replacement for the laptop and refused to expel the student”.

She told The Advertiser it took two months before the school provided a temporary laptop replacement.

Aberfoyle Park High School Year 7 student Jordan. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Ms Mathers said the “integration approach” was designed to absolve the school of its responsibility to solve its ongoing bullying problem.

She said that, after the attack, when she told the school that Jordan was scared during lunchtime and recess, her son was told to stand beside a teacher during the breaks or go to the library.

Ms Mathers also said the perpetrator continued to “bully” and “torment” other students at the school including another incident where he again caused an injury with little punishment.

An Education Department spokeswoman said that “immediate and decisive action was taken by the school” with the perpetrator “immediately suspended”.

“The school has been providing support for the student in a number of ways, including the school’s wellbeing leader being in regular contact with the family, as per school process,” she said, adding other measures included a library pass and permission to use his phone to call family.

“The student’s classes were changed, he was provided a school laptop, and re-engagement meetings have been held.

“The Department continues to invest in staff, building their confidence and skills to create positive school cultures, support students from diverse backgrounds and abilities and respond to violence and bullying when it occurs,” she said.

The Advertiser asked SA Health whether the number of bullied school students with mental health conditions presenting to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where Jordan receives counselling, was rising. It declined to comment.

Originally published as Young Student Jordan told by teachers to make friends with bully who attacked him