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By Bruce McDougall:
March 03, 2009 12:00 am |
School lockdown after machete-wielding youths invade
 A PLAYGROUND fight over a girl led to yesterday's rampage by axe-wielding
teenagers through one of Sydney's leading high schools.
Students fled in terror and two female tuck shop workers ran for safety as
three youths armed with machetes and a tomahawk allegedly terrorised the school.
The youths were allegedly yelling out the name of a student as they made
their way through the school.
Damage estimated at $30,000 was caused to windows, notice boards and a
vehicle at the prestigious Trinity Catholic College at Auburn in Sydney's west.
Editorial: Lost love finds violent outlet
Three teenagers aged 15 to 17 from Auburn and Bankstown - who are not
connected to the school - have been charged and will appear in Parramatta
Children's Court today.
Detective Superintendent Brett Henderson, the Flemington Local Area
Commander, said last night the attack appeared to have been sparked by an
argument two weeks ago between two students over a girl.
"From that point there has been a threat made by one of those involved in the
altercation - 'I'm going to get you for this'," he said.
"It appears he has mustered the support of others to come back to the school
and get hold of the other person involved in the altercation."
The 8.15am attack was followed two hours later by the lockdown of Floraville
Public School, at Lake Macquarie, after a 12-year-old girl was confronted by a
man inside the school toilet block.
The girl, who managed to break free, was not harmed. But the incidents
undermine NSW Government claims that schools remain "one of the safest places"
in the community.
Intruders carrying out often violent assaults on school grounds at a rate of
more than one a day include suspected criminals, aggressive ex-students and
deranged parents.
The Independent Education Union said last night it was concerned about the
attack on Trinity Catholic College, but said incidents were rare.
Parents who received phone calls from frightened students inside the college
were forced to wait in the street outside for several hours before their
children were released from the lockdown campus.
Some upset children fell sobbing into their parents arms when they were
finally allowed through the school gates. No one was injured during the rampage
which senior police described as "terrible" and "absolutely atrocious".
Year 12 student Cassandra Alan said: "I saw three casually-dressed boys
walking into the school and then, bang, everything started happening. I ran.
Teachers were screaming at us but we couldn't make out everything they were
saying. We went inside the classrooms."
Another Year 12 student Stephanie Habib said: "They were hitting everything -
the canteen ladies just ran."
Two males aged 15 and 16 from Auburn and one, 17, from Bankstown have been
charged with three counts of malicious damage, being armed with intent to commit
a serious indictable offence, stealing and two counts of assault and affray.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
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