Auckland, New Zealand – Student violence poses a significant challenge to schools across the country, according to the Auckland Secondary Schools Principals’ Association. The issue came to light after a disturbing video from Ōrewa College in Auckland surfaced, showing a student being attacked by another while onlookers watched and screamed.
In the video, a female student can be seen physically assaulting another female student, with others egging her on to stop. The victim falls to the ground as the attacker continues to kick and stomp on her. The school, Ōrewa College, declined to comment on the incident despite being contacted for information on their violence prevention measures.
Police have since launched an investigation into the assault captured in the video and are providing support to the victim and her family. Senior Sergeant Roger Small expressed deep concern over the violence shown in the video, urging the community to refrain from sharing it further while assuring the public of the seriousness of the offense.
President of the Auckland Secondary Schools Principals’ Association, Karen Brinsden, addressed the issue of student violence, emphasizing the importance of schools instilling values and standards to prevent such incidents from occurring. She highlighted the challenge schools face when external behaviors infiltrate the school environment, leading to bullying, harassment, or physical altercations.
Brinsden pointed out that each school has its own approach to handling conflicts between students, centered around fostering a safe and respectful learning environment. The association stressed the need for proactive measures to address such issues, rather than reactive responses after the fact.
This incident is not the first time Ōrewa College has faced violence concerns. In a meeting held in 2022 following two brutal assaults that surfaced online, parents expressed their fears over the safety of their children at the school. Concerns were raised about the lack of adequate security, a culture of fear preventing students from speaking up, and the school’s slow response to addressing pressing issues.
Parents called for immediate action to address bullying and ensure the safety of students, highlighting a lack of enforcement on minor infractions that could escalate into more significant problems. The meeting concluded with a sense of urgency for the school to take decisive measures to protect its students and create a safer learning environment.