MODBURY High School will consider banning school bags from classrooms after a Year 8 student allegedly brought a loaded revolver to school.
School principal Martin Rumsby told The Advertiser the school was “very concerned” about the firearm incident and had suspended the student.
It is understood the teenager allegedly brought the gun to school on Monday with the intention of impressing his friends. A revolver and ammunition were found in his schoolbag during a search at a Valley View home later that day after a tip-off to BankSA Crime Stoppers, police said.
The teenager and his father, 41, were charged with possessing an unregistered loaded firearm and possessing an unlicensed firearm and insecure ammunition.
They were bailed to appear in court next month.
Police said the man had no links to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Mr Rumsby said a social worker would be made available to students, while parents whose children had seen the firearm would be personally contacted.
“We don’t believe there was a threat to people’s safety, but at the same time to have that weapon brought on to the school site is a concern for all of us,” he said.
“The (school) safety committee will be reviewing some of our safety issues at school and, I guess, in particular the aspect of students bringing bags into classrooms.”
He said that the school had also spoken to the family of the student.
At the same school in August 2001, teenager Michael Chapman shot himself dead with his father’s .303 calibre rifle. Then State Coroner Wayne Chivell found the student was carrying knives, bombs and other weapons as “back-ups” in case his rifle was taken from him.
In 2010, The Advertiser revealed that school councils wanted surveillance cameras in schools to help fight bullying and crime.
Parents lobbied to install closed-circuit television cameras on the school grounds amid concerns about bullying and harassment between students.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms should contact BankSA Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.sa.crime stoppers.com.au
