What is going on in Woodstock high schools – Part 1

Huron Park Secondary School. (TVDSB Photo).

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Echo recently ran a story on two disturbing assaults at Woodstock high schools, including one where a victim suffered severe injuries as a result of a beating from a steel pipe at Huron Park. Another incident occurred at College Avenue. In both instances, videos were posted on social media as students recorded the violence.

This reporter was able to talk to a student about her experiences at a high school in the city. For her safety, we will call her Jane, and we will not reveal the name of the school she attends.

“It’s been pretty good overall,” she started with. “But my very first day there, I was walking with one of my friends who went to a different elementary school, and she was getting dirty looks from some random girl. She asked my friend if she wanted to go outside and fight. This was the first day of school.”

Jane added nothing happened and the girls walked away from each other, but she knew of many fights, both on and off school property.

“I have seen lots of videos of them. Two girls were fighting (just off school property) one day, and then two other girls were there the next day. The one girl was at school for a week after she had the fight with a black eye and then she was expelled.”

This reporter was provided with a video of an assault in a hallway at one of the city’s high schools, and it was disturbing to say the least. It showed many students watching, and some videotaping. There was also a teacher present but no one stepped in to help the victim as he lay motionless on the floor.

“I was there, but I didn’t watch the fight. I saw them arguing as I walked by. If you watch, you get in trouble too. Videotaping will also get in trouble, but I have seen so many videos of it. There was a teacher there and she was screaming for it to stop.”

Jane said the teacher in question was terrified to step in and do anything. She added the student who was beaten up, and didn’t appear to attempt to defend himself, was allegedly trash-talking the aggressor for weeks.

“They were in the same phys ed class and I know the one who beat him up slapped him across the face in class and warned him not to (keep trash talking). He told him he had guys watching his brother at another school.”

Jane added the student who took the beating asked the aggressor to hit him numerous times just before the assault occurred. She said the majority of violence at her school is done by girls, and many times there is simply no reason for it.

“There are a lot of girls at our school who will jump other girls just because their friends told them to. They don’t even know why. People do it just to do it.”

Jane explained girls aren’t fighting over boys.

“They talk bad about each other, they act tough and stay stuff, and they want to fight. Even at the Woodstock (Navy Vets) hockey games, girls get kicked out all the time because they fight. And it’s the girls I go to school with who are fighting there.”

Not everything is negative, according to Jane, as she is pleased with the quality of education she receives at her school.

“The teachers are really nice, I am learning a lot, and I have more friends now.”

Both Jane and Jill say they would welcome an increased police presence in high schools, including an on-the-books program in cooperation with the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB).

“I think kids would be intimidated once they know there are police on site and things maybe wouldn’t get that far,” said Jill.

Jane added it might prevent assaults from taking place.

“The teachers can’t do anything. If there were police officers, they would be able to stop it.”

Jill added there is little to no communication from the high school her daughter attends when an incident occurs. An example is when the school was on lockdown recently due to a police presence in the immediate area.

“My daughter was the first one to text me that day and I was thinking, oh, why is the school locked down? There was no communication. I knew nothing. They need to be more forthright with what’s happening in a timely manner, not hours later. I should have been notified within minutes.”  

The school is equipped with an auto call system where parents are notified when the power goes out, for example.

“Why can’t they do one within five minutes of a lockdown, but they let me know when the hydro is out?”

The (TVDSB) provided the Echo with a statement regarding the two violent assaults.

“Following up on your inquiry to Trustee Beth Mai regarding two separate incidents that occurred at College Avenue Secondary School and Huron Park Secondary School in Woodstock last month that necessitated police involvement. As these are both ongoing police investigations, Thames Valley District School Board encourages you to contact Woodstock Police Service for more information and updates regarding the status of their investigation and whether charges have been laid in each of the incidents.”

The board said it is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring safe spaces for students and staff.

“We understand that incidents within a school are very concerning to students, families and staff alike and generate a great deal of interest and speculation. As you know, we cannot discuss individual students or matters related to ongoing police investigations. However, we can say that we do take any allegation of violence very seriously and follow our Safe Schools Policy and Procedures when handling these allegations, including involving police and other community services when needed. Both of these incidents have been investigated using the Safe Schools Response Policy and Procedures and the Woodstock Police Services to ensure a thorough investigation and response. We thank Woodstock Police Service for their ongoing support and expertise in helping to keep all our staff and students safe.”

Part 2 of this story will be in the next edition of the Echo on April 11 as we speak with Woodstock Police about their concerns and the possibility of a new school-based policing program in the city. We will also hear from the union representing secondary teachers in Oxford County.