One mother contacted the Otago Daily Times yesterday in response to a report on Thursday about a teenager from the school assaulting another, younger child.
She said her child, who was also a Cromwell College pupil, had also been subject to a ``brutal assault'' by an older pupil, but police had not investigated the incident and the school was ``doing nothing''.
The pupil was kicked in the head, dragged to the ground and beaten severely in the incident, she said.
The incident is alleged to have occurred in Cromwell in February and the alleged perpetrator is the same alleged offender from the incident reported in Thursday's Otago Daily Times.
Police are investigating that incident and working to remove the footage of the assault from the internet.
The mother of the teenager allegedly assaulted in February said that incident was also filmed and posted online, and the sharing of such footage was further re-victimisation.
She contacted Cromwell police about four times, but it had still not been investigated, she said.
She also contacted the school about four times about the February incident and other alleged bullying of her child by the older pupil, but claimed ``the school's not doing anything about it'', and she felt ``fobbed off''.
``I'm getting desperate, and very, very frustrated. I just want to protect my daughter, and other children.''
Police provided a general response from Sergeant Bruce Terry, of Cromwell, that said in recent months local staff and the youth aid officer spoke with and supported some young people and families in the community.
For privacy reasons, police would not comment on specific incidents, he said.
``Other professional agencies continue to work with police and with youth and families through the local community.''
Earlier this week another mother spoke to media about the experience of her child allegedly being attacked at the school.
The Otago Daily Times was also contacted yesterday by the mother of a former pupil who said she removed him from the school after almost three years of harassment and bullying.
``There is a serious bullying culture within that school. He was bullied by a lot of the kids there.
``Everyone who's ever put their hand up and tried to confront the school, they feel completely unheard.''
There were many complaints about one child, but nothing was done about him, she said.
``I'm not an easily intimidated person, but I feel intimidated talking to the teachers in that school. They make a lot of promises about what will change, but it just gets pushed under the carpet.''
These incidents were not reported to police.
When asked for comment on the alleged February assault and the school's disciplinary actions regarding it, Cromwell College principal Mason Stretch forwarded a statement sent to parents.
It said after consulting the New Zealand Schools Trustees Association, the school was informed it had no ability to use school disciplinary procedures because the incident happened after school hours and off school grounds.
``We are extremely concerned and disappointed that any young person would behave towards another as alleged.
``I am pleased that both the incident, and the filming and sharing of it, is being taken seriously by local police.
``Our staff have also been made aware of the alleged assault and the video. We have already put in place strategies to manage any repercussions within school and ensure our students are safe.''
In response to allegations of inaction over bullying he said the school took those issues ``very seriously''.
``I welcome any parent contacting me directly if they feel that an issue of bullying for their child is not being, or has not been, addressed in a professional and supportive manner.''
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Comments
I attended primary school in Cromwell 1940-48 and can say honestly we had nothing like this, and I'm disgusted that it exists today.
Shame on the bully/bullies concerned and their parents--and the school, for doing nothing. Yet, anyway. Peter Bell, Cobble Hill, BC Canada.