Shocking footage reveals series of violent brawls at Catholic college
A Melbourne school is in damage control after shocking footage emerged of violent attacks by students.
Concerned students alerted 7 News to what appears to be a culture of violence at St Peters College in Melbourne’s south-east
A special assembly has been called at the Cranbourne school, and those involved face disciplinary action, the school told 7 News.
Wild scenes, captured on mobile phone footage, show how two schoolgirls faced off, egged on by others.
The pair appear to argue in the school car park, before one girl launches for the other, grabbing her by the hair and flinging her to the ground.
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As onlookers scream from the sidelines, the pair scuffle on the ground before other students rush over.
In separate altercations, more sickening scenes are recorded inside and out of the school.
In one clip, fists fly between young students on the oval, as older pupils watched and clapped.
In another incident, a boy was seen punching another student. The fight continued as students tried to drag the victim away.
The violence has prompted former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Kel Glare to call for an urgent reintroduction of the police in schools program.
According to Mr Glare, the program will aim to stop anti-social behaviours and prevent young people getting into trouble.
“I think it’s appalling that these things are happening in schools. The older ones are old enough to know better, so that too is a problem.
“I think it’s an incredible problem but again, a police in schools program, one of the first things it can deal with is bullying,” Mr Glare told 7 News.
“It will get worse, there’s no question about that. There are, in some places, ethnic tensions in the schools.”
The school says it is treating the incidents with the utmost seriousness and will hold a special assembly on Monday morning to address the violence with students in years seven to 10.
"The school has acted promptly in accordance with the relevant protocols, to implement appropriate disciplinary and support measures including suspensions, the instigation of behaviour management plans and meetings with parents of the students involved," St Peter's principal Chris Black said in a statement to 7 News.
Locals claim other schools in the area are experiencing similar schoolyard violence.
