Five students at St. Joseph’s College have been expelled after they were identified as the culprits in a bullying video, filmed at the school, that has gone viral.
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But that’s not the only form of punishment they will face.
They are likely to face Police charges since the incident has now been referred to the Police.
The decision was confirmed by the Director of Catholic Schools, A’eau Chris Hazelman, yesterday.
A’eau made it clear that Catholic Church school system has zero tolerance on such behavior.
“We have met with the mother of the boy who was the victim and we have informed her of the decision we’ve made (to expel the students),” A’eau said.
What’s worse according to the Director is that this is the second time such an incident has occurred at the school.
Because of this, “we are taking the matter further". “We have met with the Police and they are investigating it".
A’eau said the incident is disappointing but “the matter is beyond our control and that is why we have decided to refer it to police.
“We have identified all of the boys in the video and the principal has contacted the parents of these students who were expelled today (yesterday)".
The Director said he was only made aware of the video on Thursday afternoon.
He explained that the incident happened several weeks ago, a few weeks into the beginning of the first term.
The victim in the video is a year 11 student while the rest of the boys that were bystanders including the one that threw the punches are year 12 students.
A’eau also said that the school is conducting its own investigation. Part of that would determine whether any teacher knew about the incident.
“I feel sad because it has happened just weeks after school has started,” he said. “(If we find out that) a teacher knew about it and never reported it – it will be an automatic termination of service.
“The job of a teacher is not only teaching but to ensure the safety of the students in school".
“That is why we are taking this matter very seriously and with great sensitivity and we have informed the teachers and put it to them to let us know because the penalty would be far harsher (if we find out later)".
The Director also voiced his disappointment that this has come up after two years in a row S.J.C. had not been in fights and in any bad light.
He recalled that after the first incident of a similar video going viral online three years ago immediate action was taken with expulsion.
“There was also a student handbook of which there were two rules that clearly points to zero tolerance on bullying and if it happens it would mean immediate expulsion".
“There was also another policy that we drew up regarding social media, that any pictures or videos that shows students in school, during school time and in school uniform that is doing harm to a student or will place the school in a negative light will get automatic expulsion".
Lastly, A’eau apologised to parents, former pupils and everyone hurt by the video.
“I apologise to all who may have been affected in watching this clip – to the parents that currently have students at S.J.C. we do not take your trust lightly,” said A’eau.
“I want to make sure that we are not taking this matter lightly and because of the seriousness of it, we have taken these actions".
“I want to assure everyone in general and parents that we are taking this matter seriously and assure the students at St. Joseph’s are safe and teachers are doing their jobs".
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