“Shocking” allegations of bullying have reached a flashpoint in central Queensland, with more than a hundred parents and students rallying outside a high school to demand action.
One of the rally organisers, Amy Thomas, said there had been “no consequences” for perpetrators and that children were suffering.
Ms Thomas has a daughter in grade 7 at Yeppoon State High School, near Rockhampton, where the rally was held this morning.
It is the only state high school in the rapidly growing coastal community and has about 1,000 students.
Ms Thomas said her 12-year-old girl had been physically and verbally assaulted.
“It’s shocking … it started with a slushie being poured on her before school … all over her hair and clothes … then golf-ball sized rocks thrown at her,” she said.
“Words from some of the girls are terrible. [They’re saying], ‘I’m going to bash you to death.’ They are putting it on TikTok, saying, ‘Who should I bash today?’
“They are going into the bathrooms and turning off lights and smashing the doors. It’s intimidation. None of that is acceptable.”
The education department said claims the school did not address bullying were “false”. (Context: The education department denies the accusations of lack of action against bullying.)
When contacted for comment, Yeppoon State High School referred questions to the Queensland Department of Education.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the department said claims the school did not address bullying were “false”.
“Bullying is a sensitive matter and concerns raised by anyone in our school communities are taken seriously and responded to appropriately,” they said.
“Security is on site and police have been contacted in response to staff safety and welfare concerns around social media commentary and public rallying.
“The school and department remain committed to continuing to work with this family and supporting the student, but occupational violence and aggression is not tolerated by the school or department in any way, shape, or form.”
Ms Thomas’s husband, David Thomas, said “relentless” bullying was a widespread issue.
“I’ve received phone calls, text messages, a lot of confidential emails from teachers, students and parents of kids at every single school in Yeppoon and Rockhampton, as far north as Townsville and as far south as the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“It’s the entire system … the issue is way bigger than just one school or one town.”
As part of a national plan to tackle bullying, the federal government released an anti-bullying report in October last year.
The report recommended schools initiate action on a bullying complaint within two days of an incident being reported.
Sharna Cochrane said her son had been bullied since he started high school.
“He’s been physically assaulted, he’s had his belongings destroyed and scattered underneath a building,” she said.
“The school just asks us to write reports over and over but no action is taken further — there’s no consequences.
“It’s horrible, it makes me cry, it’s heartbreaking, it makes you angry … it makes you feel useless as a parent.”
Paula Mills said her grandchild had also had rocks thrown at them.
“It is very concerning … this happens in every school, it doesn’t matter if it’s private or public.”
LNP member for Keppel Nigel Hutton said there was zero tolerance for bullying in schools.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe when they arrive at their workplace,” he said.
“I think it’s important that we talk together, work together, to develop the solutions.
“I’ve been engaging both with the rally organisers as well as the school around how we can work together … supporting a safe workplace for all of our amazing teachers and students.”
