Teachers allegedly assaulted in teen ‘tensions’

Several teachers were allegedly assaulted after a wild brawl broke out between teenage girls at a secondary school in Melbourne’s west earlier this week.

A fight erupted just before 4pm on Tuesday at Tarneit Senior College, leading to the arrests of five youths.

Police confirmed that five female teenagers entered the Leakes Rd school to confront a student over an “ongoing issue” and that they are aware of “tensions” among a small group of teenage girls in the Wyndham area.

Confronting vision filmed on a mobile phone has emerged online, showing a group of people kicking and stomping on someone on the ground while teachers try to intervene.

“Four teachers were allegedly assaulted while trying to protect the student,” police said.

A physical altercation broke out, resulting in police being called to the secondary school.

Five people were subsequently arrested at the scene, one of whom was a 19-year-old woman who was later charged with affray.

She was bailed to appear at Werribee Magistrates Court on January 8, 2024.

The four other teens, all from Tarneit, are expected to be charged on summons with affray and unlawful assault.

Police said they are continuing to investigate a “small number of other alleged targeted assaults” involving the same group of girls.

“Further arrests are expected,” a police spokesperson said.

Paramedics were called to the scene; however, no emergency treatment or transport was required.

A Victorian Department of Education spokesperson said there was “no place for violence” in the state’s schools.

“We are aware of these incidents and are working closely with the school, impacted students and families as well as co-operating with Victoria Police who are investigating the incidents,” they said.

“All schools have strong policies in place to address any incidents of violence or bullying.”

Parents of students at the school have been informed of the incident and support has been offered to those affected.

Police said there were no reports of any weapons, including knives or tasers, used in any of the incidents involving the group of teens.

“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,” a spokesperson said.

“The Proactive Policing Unit is engaged with several local schools in the Wyndham area that are involved to provide safety advice and support.”