Fights caught on video at Ignatius Park

NUMEROUS high school students have been filmed taking part in two aggressive schoolyard brawls at Townsville’s Ignatius Park College.

The footage, shared anonymously with the Townsville Bulletin, shows students throwing punches connecting with the head and upper body, a student being shoved into walls and a student trying to drag another to the ground.

Ignatius Park College told the Bulletin the school was aware of the situation and it had been dealt with swiftly.

Principal Shaun Clarke said the safety and wellbeing of students remained the college’s highest priority.

“We do not condone violence or inappropriate behaviour of any kind and are disappointed in the behaviour of the students involved which don’t support policies and practises,” Mr Clarke said.

“The college’s primary focus is the development of a safe, inclusive school community in which all students feel safe and protected.”

Mr Clarke said Ignatius Park took a strong stance in dealing with the matter in accordance with the school’s policies and procedures.

“This includes conducting a thorough investigation and taking appropriate disciplinary action in relation to the students involved, as well as those who used their mobile phone to record the incident,” he said.

It is understood that parents have been notified of the incidents.

The anonymous sender of the videos understood the students involved were in Year 10 and Year 11 and the videos were filmed during school hours. However the school did not confirm those details.

The sender said it was unknown what sparked the brawls, and while some blood was drawn during the fights, there did not appear to be any serious injuries.

Ignatius Park’s Mobile Phone and Electronic Device Policy recommends mobile phones be switched off and handed to the office before 8.30am and they will be returned at 3pm.

It says phones would be confiscated if seen or heard by teachers during that time.

“Bullying goes against the very grain of what has made Ignatius Park special – the supportive and inclusive environment. Intimidation and violence have no place in our community,” the college’s bullying policy states.

Multiple incidents of physical fighting between school students being filmed have emerged at a number of Townsville schools this year.

A furious mother of a Pimlico State High School Year 9 student told the Bulletin her son was handed a week’s suspension for defending himself after being targeted by bullies provoking physical fights.

Another mother spoke out against bullies after her daughter was filmed being attacked at Stockland Shopping Centre by a classmate wearing a Pimlico State High uniform.