Authorities to counsel students after stabbing

By Michelle Herbison
AUTHORITIES will work with students to prevent violence after a stabbing at Bellarine Secondary College, according to the school’s principal and Victoria’s education department.
Principal Colin Sing said the school was assisting police with their investigations into the incident on Tuesday.
“I will be reminding all students about the expectations I have of them as members of our school community.
“Our behaviour policy includes the expectation that they behave responsibly and appropriately both in school and on-line.”
A 17-year-old Ocean Grove boy suffered serious injuries in the stabbing.
Geelong Hospital said the boy was in a stable condition on Wednesday.
A 15-year-old Drysdale boy allegedly stabbed him in the neck with a pen.
An Education Department spokeswoman said violence was never tolerated in government schools.
“The department is taking this matter very seriously and will be working with the school to ensure the safety and welfare of all students.”
The stabbing was the latest in a series of violent incidents at Bellarine Secondary College in recent years.
A year seven student was removed from the school in March last year after putting a knife to the throat of a 12-year-old at the college.
A 15-year-old boy ended up in hospital after a schoolyard fight three months later.
Current and former students have posted comment on Facebook suggesting the school had an increasing reputation for violent incidents.
Students have called the school “scummy” and threatened to stab each other.
“That is what the school is known for,” one post said.
Following last year’s incidents a number of impolite Facebook pages were created.
Victoria Police declined to comment on the incident.