Few let down many

JORDAN River principal Sandy Menadue says students are “disappointed” after a video emerged of a brawl where a student stomped on the head of another.

Mr Menadue said the students believed they were “being let down” by the actions of a few.

“It’s the disadvantage that might be perpetuated inappropriately and unfairly to a cohort of students who are working really hard to be resilient around a whole host of issues,” he said.

“[They’re] wanting to celebrate, to smile and have their photos taken around achievement, it’s just a nasty and abrupt exposure that is potentially unfair for their futures.

“Ultimately what we want to do here is make sure students are given every opportunity and they’re not negatively stereotyped.”

Mr Menadue said many students came from a challenging education culture and the school operated a professional environment to develop trust, hope and a belief education can make a difference in people’s lives but also for their extended family.

He said the school was working hard to continually highlight student achievement and challenge “preconceived notions” held by students and the broader community.

He said a key focus was to create tangible links between education and employment.

Year 11 and 12 co-ordinator Maree Conrad-Wilson said 10 per cent of students were on school-based apprenticeships across a range of industries.

“That’s a large percentage of students compared to some other year 11 and 12 programs.”

She said students received acknowledgment and awards every year.

“Students coming into next year’s cohort know there’s a certain standard of what’s expected, that they’re here to do their vocational courses and achieve success in that.”