Police are investigating an alleged assault at a Dunedin secondary school which has left a mother fearful for her son’s safety.
The mother said the alleged lunch time “king hit” assault at Trinity Catholic College left her son concussed, with a split lip and cuts to his mouth.
The 15-year-old required dental treatment after the attack.
The alleged attacker was suspended for the rest of the term, but has been allowed to return to the school at the start of term 4.
However, the mother believes he should have been expelled and has complained to police about the incident.
Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, confirmed police were investigating the incident and it was likely going to be handled by Youth Aid given the ages of the people involved.
Trinity Catholic College principal Kate Nicholson said the school took its responsibilities “very seriously” when it came to student safety and the board followed the discipline process as required by the Ministry of Education.
On August 29, the day of the attack, the mother was told by the school her son had been involved in an altercation and she needed to come to collect him.
She found the teenager sitting injured and bloody in the deputy principal’s office.
“I was pretty let down.
“I wasn’t prepped to arrive there and see blood all over his shirt and down his face.”
She immediately took him to the doctor.
Her son had been threatened by his assailant in the build-up to the incident for about a year, she said.
She said the attack occurred in the canteen line and the assailant made sure her son was alone so his friends could not help him.
“It was definitely a targeted assault and he punched him several times to the back of the head.”
Her son was putting on a brave face and was not revealing too much about how he was feeling, but his friends were worried the bullying would become an ongoing thing.
She said Trinity had not done much to make a prevention plan to stop another incident from happening.
“I don’t feel like the school know how to keep anybody safe or to prevent this.
“I’ve got bugger all from the school.”
This left her feeling like her son was not safe back at school.
Ms Nicholson said she was confident in the school’s policies and processes.
“We recognise this has been distressing for the victim involved and our door remains open to the family for discussion.
“As a Catholic school, our special character guides us to uphold the dignity of each person, foster compassion and encourage reconciliation, therefore we work within a restorative framework.”
She said the school could not comment on the outcome of disciplinary processes or matters before police.