A classroom incident has left a Nowra Public student with a fractured fibula.
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Twelve-year-old Jack Martin’s leg was fractured by a fellow year six classmate on November 25.
In a statement to Shoalhaven Police, Jack said he flicked a piece of cardboard which hit the other student in the back of the head.
The student retaliated by pushing and slapping Jack, before pushing him back on a table and twisting his foot around.
The student was suspended for three days.
Jack’s mother, Kareen Martin said Jack has suffered anxiety as a result and fears returning to school. She’s concerned with how the matter has been dealt with by the Department of Education and Nowra Public School.
“The duty of care towards Jack should have been that this was stopped before the incident happened. I’ll be seeking legal counsel.
- - Kareen Martin
“We asked for the student to be moved to another classroom but they said Jack could move,” she said.
“Why should the victim have to?”
Mrs Martin said a teacher’s aid was implemented for one day and Jack briefly returned to school. He has not returned since.
She doesn’t believe the matter has been properly resolved.
“I don’t think the correct disciplinary action has been taken and the Department of Education has handled it by passing from one person to the next,” she said.
“The duty of care towards Jack should have been that this was stopped before the incident happened. I’ll be seeking legal counsel.”
Nowra Public School and the Department of Education said appropriate measures have been taken.
“An incident occurred between two students in class where unintentionally one student sustained an ankle fracture,” a spokesperson said.
“The school provided all the necessary first aid treatment and care to the injured student and discipline measures as per the school’s policy were implemented.
“Due to the isolated nature of the incident, that disciplinary measures were undertaken, and that there are no other issues between the students, the school made the decision not to forcibly relocate any students from the class.”
Mrs Martin said the incident has affected Jack’s home and family life and she plans to seek legal counsel.