Cade Lucas
Police have ruled out stationing officers at Wyndham schools despite the alleged assault of four teachers at Tarneit Central College last week.
The alleged assaults occurred at about 3.50pm on Tuesday August 22, when a group of teenage girls attacked teachers who were believed to have been protecting a student.
Five girls were arrested at the scene, while another three girls, aged 13, 14 and 15, were arrested in Tarneit on Friday August 25.
A 19-year-old female was charged with affray and bailed to appear at Werribee Magistrates Court on January 8 2024, while a 15-year-old was charged with affray, stalking, riotous behaviour and assault and bailed to appear at the Children’s Court at a later date. The other youths are expected to be charged on summons.
In a statement, police said they were aware of tensions between a group of girls in the area, but placing officers in schools wasn’t necessary.
“There will not be an ongoing police presence at schools in Wyndham however we are monitoring intelligence to proactively intervene and prevent disputes before they occur,“ said police in the statement, adding that no weapons were involved and the Proactive Policing Unit and youth workers from the Embedded Youth Outreach Project were providing security and support.
Tarneit Senior College principal Shane Cole-Hayhow said school safety was his highesty priority.
“We are being fully supported by the Department of Education and other agencies to respond to the current incidents and support our staff and students,” Mr Cole-Hayhow said.
While praising the teachers for their actions, Australian Education Union Victorian Branch president Meredith Peace said it shouldn’t be their job and that staff shortages were partly to blame.
“In some instances the growing workforce shortage crisis is making it harder for principals, teachers and education support staff to manage difficult behaviours and incidents of violence,” Ms Peace said.
“It is the responsibility of the Department of Education to ensure schools are safe for both staff and students and that means ensuring there are enough teachers, principals and support staff on school campuses to provide the education and support students require and avoid incidents like these.“
A Department of Education spokesperson said a security audit to identify further preventative measures was being conducted.
