"A sad day for public education".
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That is how NSW Teachers Federation Dubbo spokesperson Noel Creenaune has described an alleged attack on a teacher by students at a Dubbo school this week.
Mr Creenaune said verbal and physical assaults on teachers in western NSW were "not uncommon" and "most go unreported".
Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward as they investigate an incident that took place at Dubbo College Delroy Campus on Thursday afternoon.
A spokesperson for Orana Local Area Command said the alleged attack took place as a 33-year-old male teacher attempted to break up fights at the East Street school about 1.25pm.
Officers were told the teacher had his arms secured behind him by one student while he was assaulted by another.
A police spokesperson said the teacher "did not receive medical treatment for his injuries".
Mr Creenaune said when there was a critical incident regarding violence at a school, there were management processes to follow.
"If that did occur there should be an automatic long suspension," he said.
In a prepared statement released yesterday, the Department of Education and Communities presented a different version of events from police, saying there was just one fight and that there were no injuries to any teacher.
"The Department of Education and Communities confirms that a school yesterday (Thursday) disciplined students involved in a fight," the statement read.
"Several students interfered with two teachers' attempts to separate the two students who were initially involved in the fight. No teacher sustained injury in the incident.
"Public schools do not tolerate or accept violence of any kind. After the matter was resolved, the fight was reported to police to determine if they wished to take further action. When a matter may break the law, schools provide a report to police and co-operate with enquiries."
A Department of Education and Communities spokesman confirmed more than two students were involved but would not elaborate on exactly how many, nor as to the ages of the students or whether the students involved had been suspended.
A spokesperson for NSW Ambulance said paramedics had been called to East Street earlier in the day to transport a 16-year-old girl to Dubbo Base Hospital with hand injuries, but could not say whether it was a related incident.
Mr Creenaune, who had taught at the Delroy campus, said while no direct link could be made between this latest alleged incident and Dubbo College’s split junior and senior campus model, many teachers felt the years 7 to 12 schools that were formerly in place were “far more stable”.
“We maintain that the 7 to 12 school model promotes more respect and leadership from older students.”
Mr Creenaune said many students had also become “disengaged” because there was a lack of “work culture”.
“We need to promote, from kindergarten to year 12, skills for the workforce,” he said.
“It could include more careers weeks and activities - the aspiration for work has to be developed from an early age.
“It also needs to be taken into account that teaching is a tough job, and that’s why it’s important that members of the community, (especially) parents support their schools.”
Meanwhile, Mr Creenaune encouraged teachers who had been threatened or assaulted to report the incident to their local police station. He said the NSW Teachers Federation had a welfare and legal section that could also support members who had been victims of assault.
Witnesses who believe they can help police with their investigation have been asked to contact Dubbo Police Station on 6883 1599.