Katherine High School violence continues: Minister responds to lockdown

Police attended another lockdown at Katherine High School. Read why this time.

The cycle of violence at Katherine High School has taken hold in the town with the school going into yet another lockdown on Monday morning.

This followed a lockdown on Friday afternoon after another violent schoolyard brawl which saw police again back at the school to sort the situation out.

Troubled parents of students at the school have contacted the NT News with horror stories of violence against their children, backed-up with videos filmed on the school’s bus or in the yards.

The NT News was sent two videos of Friday’s incident which showed people being flung to the concrete amid screaming and shouting and punches being thrown.

The NT News was told on Monday morning the school had been placed in lockdown, with one unconfirmed report suggesting a naked person had been seen at the school grounds.

As well as Friday’s lockdown there has been weeks of disturbing video on social media showing violent and vicious student-on-student assaults at the school.

More vision has emerged of yet another wild brawl at Katherine High School in the Northern Territory

Last month principal Nick Lovering called for police to wand students after a minor stabbing incident involving a pencil.

In the latest video seen by the NT News, a student is slammed into concrete on what appears to be the school play area as a brutal melee ensured.

The Department of Education confirmed a brief lockdown had taken place at Katherine High School on Monday morning “initiated as a precautionary measure following an alleged incident this morning, and all classes have resumed,” a schools spokesperson said.

“All recent incidents have been managed in line with departmental policies, with additional support from the department where it has been required. This has included suspensions for students where appropriate.”

“The Principal has effectively responded to the alleged incident, is attending to the day to day operations of the school, and is ensuring continuity of learning for all students.”

Later on Monday, NT Police confirmed they had attended the school that morning, but it had nothing to do with a naked intruder at the facility.

“At around 10:20am, police received reports of a student seen walking through the school grounds with an edged weapon,” the statement said.

“Police attended and identified that a 12-year-old female student had found the steak knife on the school grounds and handed it to a teacher. There is no threat to the public.”

Responding to Friday’s melee Minister for Education and Training, and Member for Katherine, Jo Hersey said the behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“The briefing I have received is that an assistant principal intervened in a fight between two students.

“After the fight had ended, a parent arrived at the school and became aggressive.

“Due to the parent’s aggression, the school was placed into lockdown, and police were called.

“The advice I have from the department is that the parent has a current trespass order against them.

“I am also advised that both students involved in the fight have been suspended.

“It is particularly disappointing, given that I was at the NT Learning Commission with students from Katherine High School and other local schools, where they demonstrated outstanding leadership, only for this appalling behaviour to overshadow their achievements.”

Originally published as Katherine High School violence continues: Minister responds to lockdown