Chaos at Victorian childcare centre with security guards hired to protect from Whittington Primary students
Children at Geelong’s Whittington Primary School have reportedly caused chaos at the neighbouring Whittington Child and Family Centre, sparking safety fears and leading to the hiring of ratepayer-funded security guards.
Parents have told the Herald Sun that disruptive behaviour including threats against families and staff, has forced classrooms at both facilities into lockdown on multiple occasions in recent months.
Parent James Feetham described the situation as “havoc,” sharing, “they surrounded my car, I’d just put my kids in the car and they were scared. It takes a lot to shake me, and I was angry but I kept calm for my kids.”
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“Hang on, that’s a primary school, this shouldn’t be happening,” she said.
Geelong council executive director for city life, Anthony Basford, told the Herald Sun that “disruptive anti-social behaviour” prompted the council to fund a security guard at the child and family centre for the past six weeks.
“For the past six weeks, we’ve funded a security guard to be stationed at the centre as a precaution,” he said.
He emphasised “the safety and wellbeing of the children, families, and our staff at Whittington Child and Family Centre are our highest priority.
Western Victoria Region MP Bev McArthur called the security spending “outrageous,” blaming the state government for a lack of discipline in education settings, while Opposition education spokesperson Jess Wilson urged the state to “get serious” about student behaviour and supporting teachers.
“Labor has failed to maintain basic discipline in education settings,” she said.
“This is not childcare. This is chaos.”
The Department of Education says Whittington Primary School has “robust policies” to deal with unruly students, and that support is being provided.
