Four teachers were caught up in a brawl allegedly orchestrated by teenagers in a shocking incident on Tuesday at Tarneit Senior College.
The incident occurred around 3.50pm when five teenage girls reportedly confronted a student at the west Melbourne school and allegedly attacked them on school grounds.
Disturbing footage captured the assault, revealing the efforts of several teachers who rushed to intervene, only to become entangled in the alleged attack, some even appearing to be physically struck in the process.
The details of the situation were further illuminated through text messages exchanged between the involved teachers, reported by the Herald Sun, which shed light on their fears as they recounted being caught up in the affray.
According to one of the messages, a teacher recounted falling to the ground while allegedly enduring kicks to the head from the teens.
Another educator was allegedly struck in the head during the altercation.
“I’m putting in my first edupay entry tomorrow. I was shaking. It was terrifying seeing it all unfold,” read a text message from one of the traumatised teachers.
Another message revealed that the alleged assailants attempted to re-enter the school premises after being removed.
It’s further alleged that some of the teenage attackers were armed with tasers during the assault but whether or not they were used is unclear.
Concerns escalated further as parents and the community voiced their dismay over the incident.
One mother expressed her distress, telling the Herald Sun that her son was now too fearful to attend the secondary college, which primarily caters to students in Years 10 to 12.
“Both students and staff have the unequivocal right to feel safe within the school environment,” the concerned mother told the publication,.
According to another mother, this alarming incident wasn’t an isolated occurrence.
She told The Age that the school had experienced at least two lockdowns within the last year.
Although the reasons behind these lockdowns remained unclear, students had been instructed to remain within their classrooms during these instances.
Tarneit Senior College Principal, Shane Cole-Hayhow responded to the unsettling events by communicating with students and parents, The Age reports, acknowledging the altercation and a separate incident involving students outside the school premises.
He stated, “We are working with the police who are investigating both of these matters and for that reason cannot provide any further details.”
“The use of violence in our school community is completely unacceptable and not in line with the values of our school.”
In response to the incident, the Department of Education has condemned the violence and confirmed it is conducting an investigation into the matter.
All five individuals allegedly involved in the brawl were apprehended at the scene, with one 19-year-old Tarneit woman facing charges of affray.
Police confirmed to news.com.au the remaining four are expected to be summoned on charges of affray and unlawful assault.