Feb 17, 2020

Very large text size Churchlands Senior High School principal Neil Hunt has spoken of his “absolute disappointment” in a group of his students who allegedly assaulted and robbed a man at a northern suburbs train station. It is alleged the five teenagers from the western suburbs secondary school, who were allegedly wearing their Churchlands uniforms at the time, seriously assaulted Matthew Henson, 20, at Stirling Train Station on Thursday for his shoes. Credit:Churchlands Senior High School The 20-year-old sustained “severe injuries” and was hospitalised as a result of the attack. Advertisement In a letter to the school community on Monday morning, Mr Hunt said the five boys allegedly involved had each been suspended from Churchlands for the maximum penalty of 10 days. “I also want you all to know that the school’s executive take violent behaviour very seriously and have already applied our own sanctions to all students allegedly involved in the incident,” the letter read. “The maximum period of suspension permitted, 10 days, has been applied to each student. “The suspension also means that parents and students can be assured that none of those allegedly involved in Thursday’s incident will be at school over the next two weeks.” Mr Hunt said the “incident” was a police matter which constrained what he could disclose, but he wanted to express his disappointment in the boys and his sympathy to Mr Henson and his family. Loading “I am certain that you all shared my absolute disappointment, and that of my staff, if what has been alleged is true; that the students charged over the assault and robbery at Stirling Train station on Thursday afternoon were from our school,” he said. “I’m sure you were equally distressed to hear that their alleged actions resulted in a young man being hospitalised with severe injuries and our thoughts are with him and his family at this time as we pray for his complete recovery.” Mr Hunt said the boys’ suspension would “enable the school to plan a comprehensive response in a considered manner to ensure the good order of the school is maintained into the future”. “Our school has a proud reputation built on personal and academic integrity and performance,” he wrote. “The current students enrolled at our school strive, almost universally, to enhance that reputation by excelling in their actions and their achievements.” Police will allege that the five boys, along with a sixth Churchlands student who was not charged over the attack, were on a 998 bus before getting out at Stirling station about 1.45pm The five teenagers, who are due to face court on March 3, then allegedly assaulted Mr Henson before they stole his shoes and bag, according to police. The prestigious school, with a specialist music program, ranked 25th in the Education Department's median 2019 ATAR ranking.