By Star Weekly
By Melissa Cunningham and Alesha Capone
More than 12,400 people have signed an online petition calling for the principal of Manor Lakes P-12 College to be reinstated, following the release of footage which shows him appearing to drag a pupil along the ground.
Principal Steve Warner has been stood down pending an investigation.
The footage appears to show Mr Warner dragging the pupil by the arm across the playground while concerned parents and students can be heard yelling out as the incident unfolds.
Last week, a Change.org petition was started, calling on the Education Minister James Merlino to reinstate Mr Warner in his job. The petition has been signed by more than 12,400 people.
The petition says Mr Warner “has been an amazing influence on the school and it’s students”.
“Steve’s dedication to his school community has been tremendous,” the petition reads.
“The worst outcome of this situation would be for the school to lose him as the principal and leader. His work has only just started to take effect and there is only good things that could come from him continuing in his role.
“We are asking that his dedicated work at the school not be in vain due to this one isolated incident.
“The students and school community of Manor Lakes P-12 can not afford to lose a man so dedicated to improving the education of the approx. 2000 students.”
Police have confirmed they had been notified of the video footage.
“Police are investigating after a report was made regarding the treatment of a student at a school in Wyndham Vale on January 31,” said a police spokeswoman.
“It is yet to be determined if the 9-year-old boy was injured during the incident. The exact circumstances are being investigated.”
Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said the footage was “appalling and concerning”.
“Let me be very clear, I will not tolerate this kind of completely unacceptable behaviour in our schools,” he said in a statement.
“There will be an independent investigation into the staff member’s conduct and he has been immediately stood down while this takes place.”
It is not clear when the footage of the incident was captured, but it is believed to have occurred sometime this week.
