KEY POINTS:
A 48-year-old woman became the third teacher at Cambridge Middle School to be assaulted this week after a 12-year-old boy punched her in the face just before home time on Thursday.
She suffered a swollen cheek, bleeding nose and bruising to her right eye - apparently because she
asked the boy to leave her classroom when he became disruptive.
The incident has outraged the New Zealand Association for Intermediate and Middle Schools, which is accusing the Government of doing nothing to help address safety issues facing school staff.
Cambridge police Sergeant Gordon Grantham confirmed an assault complaint had been laid by the victim, a female teacher.
She had asked the 12-year-old boy to leave the classroom after he began causing problems. Outside the classroom door, the boy then used obscene language and was directed to leave the school grounds.
A short time later the teacher turned to address the class from the doorway, but the boy came back. It is alleged he pushed the teacher in her back as he forced his way into the room.
While pushing past the woman he struck her on the face with a closed fist, causing her head to collide with the door, Mr Grantham said. Soon after the boy was heard boasting about the incident while waiting for a bus.
This attack came two days after a 13-year-old girl from the same school struck another pupil, then lashed out at teachers who intervened.
One teacher took the following day off school, after suffering a hurt wrist and smashed glasses. The other teacher received a bruised eye.
Although two separate assault complaints have been laid this week it is unlikely they will be dealt with through the Youth Court because of the age of the attackers.
The 12 and 13-year-olds involved are considered "children" under the law and their behaviour is likely to be dealt with by way of a family group conference.
Cambridge Middle School principal Ross Tyson yesterday told the Weekend Herald the assaults had put a "sour twist on what's been a great year at the school".
"She [the teacher struck on Thursday] has come back to school today and is braving it out."
An emergency staff meeting was called in the morning, as well as a school assembly. "We told the kids that we love them, that they're neat kids but what's gone on is totally unacceptable, won't be tolerated and needs to be stamped out."
The feeling in the school yesterday was positive despite the rough week, he said. However, he commented that assaults in schools were "absolutely rife" and many went unreported to police because management were afraid of attracting publicity.
