Parents are reeling after a Werribee schoolboy let off a home-made explosive device at a primary school on December 9.
The 11-year-old made the device with items from a $2 shop and was suspended for a week, according to Manorvale Primary School principal Helen Watson.
The incident went viral on social media, with more than 100 comments on a Facebook page, including from one parent who said they had withdrawn their child from the school immediately.
Another parent said they were there when the device detonated.
“I was there, mate. I heard the bang and being a hunter I knew it was no cap gun.
“Everyone went quiet and only one teacher went to have a look. As the teacher approached, one child ran past holding both his ears. So there was some type of explosive.”
Another said on social media: “Some grade 5 kid looking up on the internet how to make bombs is disturbing.”
Police were called to the Greaves Street school after the boy exploded the device following morning assembly. In a statement to the Weekly, Ms Watson said the child had let off a “small firecracker-like device which he brought to our school on Monday”.
“No students or staff were injured or property damaged,” she said.
The boy was suspended for five days.
“We don’t tolerate this sort of potentially dangerous behaviour at our school,” Ms Watson said. “The safety of our students and staff is our number one priority.”
In a newsletter issued the day after the incident, she said the “device caused a loud noise and dust”.
“This also highlights the need for parents to supervise their children’s access and behaviour on YouTube and Facebook.
“The items involved [in making the device] were all purchased at a $2 shop,” the principal said.
A police spokesman said the arson squad attended the school last Monday and a “person is assisting with inquiries”.
