
Mum livid at teen's penalty
A MOTHER has moved her daughter from Murgon State High School to another school after the teenager was suspended for 20 days.
"No child should be out of school for that amount time," Cynthia Button said.
Her 13-year-old daughter Shajuana was involved in an altercation with another Murgon SHS student when a female staff member stepped in the middle.
"I got a call from the police saying they had my daughter," she said.
"The school didn't even call me; it was the police who called me."
She said her daughter's behaviour was not okay and that the teen had admitted she "just lost it".
But no one told Miss Button her daughter had been suspended until days later.
"I called up and they (the school) said it's too late we've already suspended her," she said.
"They said I wasn't on their mailing list even though I am Shajuana's main contact.
"I also wasn't told about an appeal process I could go through."
Miss Button said her main concern was suspension sent the wrong message.
"Kids are going to play up to get it," she said.
Education Queensland South West and Darling Downs regional director Greg Dickman said he fully supported the school taking a stand against violence.
"During incidents where the police are called to a school, school staff act on their advice," he said.
"At the time, the QPS advised they would contact the student's guardian. Queensland state schools will not tolerate violence."
Murgon police Senior Sergeant Lance Guteridge said he could not comment on the incident but said he found all schools in the Murgon area very responsible. "Police would only be called to situations as a last resort," he said.
