Post

Uptown Funked
_{Primary school in Fitzgerald, ACT, forced to close}
^{March 23rd}

Ettamogah Forest Primary School in Fitzgerald, Albury, has announced a temporary suspension of all year 5 and 6 classes for the rest of the term due to excessive violence.

EFPS, which is between the ACT's largest public housing estate and a protected forest, has long had the reputation of being the territory's most underprivileged and dangerous school, with staff shortages and security issues threatening the school's existence. Principal Daniel Fischer is the school's seventh Principal since 2020, and while he states he remains dedicated to the school, he acknowleges many haven't been able to.

"Last year's Year 5s were a bit of a handful to say the least, and sadly it's resulted in a lot of teachers leaving the school. We have so many teachers from all levels coming into the school dedicated to making a difference, but they have no option but to leave for their own personal safety. It's incredibly upsetting for everyone involved."

Despite being a smaller school (only 2 year five classes and 1 year six class), the school has burned through 14 teachers in 2 years. The 45 year 5 students and 30 year 6 students, along with their parents, have been so violent that Police are often called to the school. As a senior constable from the Table Top Police Station mentioned;

"I don't think, in the last one or two years, we've gone more than 2 days without being called to the school. We have been called to the premises for all sorts of reasons, from stabbings and beatings to theft and property damage. It's a really difficult situation down there."

Fischer says that students have become increasingly worse since COVID, and that the school has had weeks where they've asked an officer to be stationed at the school. With a high number of students being from public housing, as well as the school being underfunded and understaffed, Fischer has admitted "it does not require much for students to get out of control" and that students "clearly don't want to be here, but they don't want to be at home either."

Common 'crimes' committed at EFPS include property damage, theft, drug and alcohol abuse, affray, and assault/causing bodily harm. The school has also had cases of arson in the past, and staff have reported being threatened with machettes, knives, scissors, and in one instance a gun. Students have also reported being afraid of other classmates, with students being just as common a victim as teachers. Principal Fischer stated that in a school with high levels of domestic violence, it is important to him that school is a safe place for those students, something he regretably has not been able to do.

Many parents have kept their children away from the school and housing prices in the area have plummetted with young families desperate to get out of the area. A new housing estate, which was meant to open last year, has struggled to find buyers. Fischer also reports that he has personally seen teachers and students threatened, and that he himself has been threatened a number of times. For him, he says parents are his biggest threat.

"Every few days I have parents coming into my office and threatening me because their child got caught up in a fight or got low grades or got suspended. I was forced to call the police on a child who was throwing chairs and tables at students and teachers, and the next day the child's father came in and threatened to kill me. I think death threats are a weekly occurance for me. This happens to teachers too, I had a staff member tell me that a mother threw a rock into their windshield as they left the school because the child was given a bad grade."

With the nearest Police station in Table Top, 5-10 minutes away, Fischer has requested a permanent police presence at the school. ACT Policing have stated they are aware of this, but a staff shortage means they haven't been able to, but hope to in the future. They are aware of threats and acts of violence made by students and parents and are currently looking into it. Fischer has instead been forced to hire private security guards, and has been forced to stop year 5 and 6 classes. Councilling services will still be avaliable and security will be somewhat increased, and prep to year 4 classes will continue as usual.

Fischer has stressed this is a short term solution and understands that many moves could be seen as problematic. While school should be a safe and friendly place for learning and making friends, EFPS is not able to provide that for older students. His top priority is the safety of staff and students, and hopes that having a week break would give the school time to regather and find a better approach.