A "nationwide crisis" - that’s how the principal at Waimea College is describing the anger, violence and anxiety in our country’s schools in an email to concerned parents.
A small but concerned group of parents gathered at Waimea College bus bay on Wednesday, trying to find a solution.
Since Today FM started reporting on two violent beatings caught on film at the school - dozens of Kiwis have gotten in touch from around the country with their own harrowing stories.
Today FM has requested interviews with the principal of Waimea College, Scott Haines. He’s been away and refused so far but he did send that email to parents on Friday, which also expresses deep concern about the two incidents of assault at his school.
Sharona Stanton is a parent of another boy at the school who claims her son was attacked.
"Last year, he was dropped off at school in the morning, and he went to go toilet before his first period and one of the bullies was there and he wanted something from (her son)," Stanton told Tova O'Brien on Thursday morning.
"So he started pounding on the toilet door and then (her son) came out and (the bully) pulled (her son) to the ground, started kicking him in the back several times until he got what he wanted."
Stanton said there weren't other witnesses around other than the assailants, and she only heard the story from her son at the end of the school day.
She said he didn't want her to arrive at the school and "make a massive scene" so as not to encourage further bullying and beatings from those responsible.
"This is what all of the victims are scared of, that the bullies will get worse once they are told about what happened."
Stanton said the bullying extends to social media, with her son receiving calls and messages saying "come to school so I can step you out in the toilet."
She said it took weeks for Waimea College to acknowledge her attempts to get help.
"I did raise my concerns several times with Waimea College and did ask for someone to contact me," said Stanton.
"It took them two weeks of in?? the New Year to get in contact with me finally."
She said advice from the school was to keep him in "heavy foot traffic areas" and to stay in the library at lunchtime.
"Which doesn't give me much confidence when most of these videos going around online are actually in public areas and all of the people are just standing around watching," said Stanton.
The distressed mother took her son out of school for four weeks after being dissatisfied with the school's response. She said she didn't feel Waimea College was capable of keeping her child safe and would not let him return until she felt they could.
She said the Ministry of Education should be involved and a full inquiry into Waimea College and other schools, where violence and bullying is being reported, is needed.
Listen to the full interview between Sharona Stanton and Tova above.
You can also download the full interview on the Tova podcast, and listen on the go. Download the rova app on apple or android to listen to this podcast on the go, or anywhere else you get your podcasts.
