An 8-year-old boy, Mason, was severely injured in a bullying incident at his school. His father rushed him to the hospital where he received an MRI and x-ray, and was placed in a neck brace. While physically recovering, Mason is experiencing significant mental distress.
Mason's parents are calling for increased power and resources for schools to effectively deal with bullying. They highlight that the school had already taken steps to help but lacked sufficient authority and resources to prevent further incidents. The mother emphasizes that children have a right to a safe learning environment, and that several children have left the school due to safety concerns. She expresses sympathy for teachers who are not adequately equipped to handle violent behavior.
The article also mentions a separate incident involving a 15-year-old boy charged with assaulting a 14-year-old, resulting in a broken jaw and potential spinal complications. The school involved issued a statement assuring parents of strong disciplinary actions against such violent behavior.
The article emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced support for schools and teachers in handling bullying and violent incidents. The parents' plea for more authority and resources underscores the broader issue of student safety in educational settings. The incidents highlight the ongoing struggle to balance student safety with educational needs, and the inadequacy of current systems to address these significant challenges.
Farmer and Mason’s father Aaron rushed their son to Perth Children’s Hospital via ambulance after picking him up from school because he was dizzy and had “tingling fingers”.
He was given an MRI and an x-ray. Doctors then placed him in a neck brace and directed him to lay flat for more than 24 hours to minimise the risk of any spinal injury.
“I’m so grateful that there wasn’t any serious injuries. He’s got a bit of a stiff neck, a bit of bruising, but other than that he is physically fine. Mentally though, mentally he has really struggled,” Farmer said.
She said the child had hurt Mason just one-and-a-half weeks before the second incident, but the school had done all it could.
“They have gone through as many things as they can to try and help the child, help the students, keep everyone safe within their powers. They don’t have a lot of power, and they don’t have enough resources,” Farmer said.
“I don’t know the answer, but I know that someone needs to listen to us. I’m just a mom who is dealing with this on a day-to-day basis. I don’t know how to fix it, but I know that someone needs to.
“Every kid has a right to an education, but every parent and every child has a right to know that we’re sending our kids to a place where they’re going to be safe.
“There has been more children than I can name that have left because their parents are too scared to send them to school.”
She said teachers didn’t sign up to put “their bodies and livelihoods on the line”.
“I don’t have any feelings against the school. They are really trying, and there is no point in bringing bad light to them or the child who did this,” Farmer said.
“We can’t help anyone if we’re just going to be angry, we need to make noise.”
The father said they had discussed changing schools, but it wasn’t something Mason wanted to do.
“He feels like it’s unfair that he should be taken away from his classroom, his friends that he plays t-ball with,” he said.
“It’s sad that it’s gotten to this really. There needs to be more assistance for teachers.”
The concerning behaviour of school students was highlighted in a separate incident, also on April 2, after a 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged over the alleged assault of a 14-year-old at an Ellenbrook shopping centre.
The victim was left with a broken jaw and potential spinal complications. Witnesses claim they saw him have his head “stomped on”.
Aveley Secondary College, the school both attended, released a statement to parents after the incident was reported on.
Principal Stephen Pestana said the school was “taking this matter very seriously and has taken very strong action with the student”.
He said students would face strong consequences if they engaged in violent or antisocial acts, including the loss of good standing, suspensions and, in very serious cases, expulsion.
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