Supreme Court to reexamine student assault allegation

The alleged assault of a six-year-old child at Adelaide Primary School by a teacher and the subsequent attempt by the Ministry of Education to transfer the child to a different school has led to a judicial review. Justice Lorien Klein granted the parent leave to apply for judicial review and ordered the immediate reinstatement of the child, Zendaya Deal, to Adelaide Primary School. The respondents, including the minister of education, district superintendent, and attorney general, were ordered to take necessary steps for Zendaya’s reinstatement and to pay $2,500 in costs to the applicant.

According to Romona Farquharson-Seymour, lawyer for the parent, the incident occurred on November 6, 2023, when an art teacher allegedly injured the six-year-old girl’s face with a ruler. The mother was not informed of the incident by the school but discovered it when picking up her child. A verbal altercation between the mother and the art teacher followed, and a complaint was made to the police. Despite this, no charges have been laid. The Ministry of Education later decided to transfer the child to another school after two meetings with the mother and no appearance by the art teacher, prompting concerns from the mother about the lack of a fair hearing and the child’s well-being.

The mother believes that the Ministry of Education’s decision to transfer the child was influenced by a union protest, with little regard for a fair hearing or the child’s welfare. The parent’s lawyer argued that the transfer was not in the best interest of the child and that proper procedures were not followed in resolving the matter. The judicial review aims to address these concerns and ensure that Zendaya Deal is reinstated at Adelaide Primary School. The order from Justice Lorien Klein emphasizes the need for the respondents to reinstate the child and pay costs to the applicant.

The case of alleged assault at Adelaide Primary School highlights the challenges faced by parents in seeking justice for their children in cases of abuse or mistreatment at school. The legal process of a judicial review provides an opportunity for the parent to challenge the Ministry of Education’s decision and seek redress for the alleged assault on the child. The outcome of the judicial review will determine whether proper procedures were followed in handling the incident and the subsequent transfer of the child. This case also raises broader questions about accountability in the education system and the protection of students from harm by teachers and school staff.

Overall, the judicial review of the case involving the alleged assault on a six-year-old child at Adelaide Primary School sheds light on the importance of ensuring a fair and transparent process for addressing incidents of abuse in educational settings. The parent’s efforts to seek justice for their child demonstrate the need for accountability and protection of students in schools. The ruling by Justice Lorien Klein to reinstate the child and order costs to the applicant underscores the court’s commitment to upholding the rights of children and holding authorities accountable for their actions. The outcome of the judicial review will have implications for how similar cases are handled in the future and the measures taken to prevent abuse and mistreatment in schools.