Attacks on three students reported

Photo / Martin Sykes

Three Avondale College students have been attacked in the past fortnight during separate incidents, all of which are being investigated by police.

The most recent incident happened on Tuesday as a 16-year-old girl was walking to school just before 9am.

She was allegedly attacked by another teenager while an accomplice watched. The traumatised girl needed medical attention to deal with bruising to her body and abrasions to her head, although she was not believed to to be seriously hurt.

The family say they complained to police after getting little response from the school.

The girl's attack follows two others at Avondale College in the past fortnight. A 13-year-old girl was attacked in the school grounds on June 2, just before 1pm, while another 13-year-old was assaulted on two separate occasions on Tuesday and Wednesday last week.

In all three cases the parents of the victims reported the assaults to police who are investigating.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty confirmed police had received three complaints and said an officer was collating files and would discuss the issue with school administration and management.

Avondale College Principal Brent Lewis said he not yet investigated the most recent allegations involving the 16-year-old.

"I'm aware of an allegation, I have yet to investigate it and therefore I can't make comment and I'm certainly not going to do it through the
media."

When asked about the two earlier incidents he said: "I have no idea what you are talking about."

Mr Lewis said he had not heard anything from police but was unclear on whether he knew about the incidents involving the 13-year-olds.

"I'm not making comment on things that have yet to be formally brought to my attention by the police or the people concerned."

Board of Trustees chairman Kevin Glubb said he was not aware of any of the incidents.

"The principal I would think would be fully apprised of it and he would ordinarily bring me up to speed but I haven't heard of a series of events like that."

COMPLAINTS
Avondale College attacks:

Tuesday: A 16-year-old girl was attacked while walking to school.
Tuesday and Wednesday last week: A 13-year-old girl was attacked on school grounds over a two-day period.
June 2: A 13-year-old girl was attacked at school around lunchtime.