1 Sep 2009

NSW students stage mass walk-out after fatal brawl

6:06 am on 1 September 2009

Hundreds of students at a high school in northern New South Wales have staged a mass walk-out following the death of a classmate after a fight on school grounds.

Jai Morcom, 15, died in a Gold Coast hospital after suffering serious head injuries allegedly during a fight at Mullumbimby High School last Friday, the ABC reports.

Police have ruled out suggestions that the boy had a pre-existing medical problem and say he was not involved in the initial fight. They are investigating claims he was being bullied.

Police say the incident started as a fight between two boys, and that Jai Morcom was a bystander.

Students supported by parents took action on Monday, walking out of classes and calling on the principal to resign. They say violence at the school is out of control and there is constant bullying and a lack of supervision.

The Education Department says it supports the school's principal.

Witnesses to the fight are being interviewed by police.