A mother says she "can't get the picture out of my head" of her 14-year-old son in a hospital bed after she claims he was assaulted to the point of unconsciousness by another student on Ashburton School grounds.
Ashburton College principal Simon Coleman confirmed a "completely unacceptable" incident took place between two Year 9 students during school time on Friday, August 9.
For privacy reasons the principal would not go into further detail, other than to say that it happened in a small space off a main classroom.
Police are investigating after a 14-year-old boy was hospitalised in what the school is calling a "completely unacceptable" incident. (Source: 1News)
A police spokesperson also confirmed they had received a report of assault, and said inquiries were underway.
Nandita, who 1News has decided not to name in full, said the attack took place in a food and nutrition class during the final period of the day.
She alleged it was triggered when the other student began directing slurs at her son.
Nandita said the school called to inform her that her son was being taken to the hospital to "get his head checked", but said she was not informed at that point what had happened.
Coleman said Ashburton College provided transport to the victim's family so they could see the child while in hospital and staff had been to the see the student "several times".
Nandita confirmed the school picked them up and provided them with transport to the hospital to see their son.
Holding back emotion, Nandita said her son "wasn't even able to open his eyes" when she first saw him at the hospital.
Medical notes show he suffered a possible spinal fracture, moderate head injury and a orbital fracture.
"His face was really swollen ... and his body was shaking. Really shivering. Then I went closer to him, and when he heard our voice he was really in tears."
"We only asked, 'are you OK? Is it really hurting?' and I asked 'someone did this to you?'."
She said at that moment six teachers were present who consoled her but she called the attack "unacceptable" and wanted the police involved.
"He was really in a bad shape, we can't get that picture out of our head ... he moans at night so we don't really tell him what we're going through, for us as parents it's really hard what he's going through."
She said they were concerned for his future and how the assault would affect him.
"The principal came and visited us, which we really appreciated. He said that he was going to get a board meeting within 10 days and get back to us."
Coleman said he "fully supported" the family — who made the police report — and the school would cooperate with police in any way it could.
The other student involved in the incident was sent home and a disciplinary process would be followed, he said. The school had also reported the incident to the Ministry of Education.
Nandita said her son had also been interviewed by police as part of its ongoing investigation.
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