A SCHOOL has been forced to apologise to a student who was suspended because his parents didn't attend a parent-teacher interview.


BRENDAN MASON, 17, WITH PARENTS DEE AND ANDREW, WHO MISSED A PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEW. PICTURE: BEN SWINNERTON HERALD SUN


Sunbury Downs College Principal Brett Moore said he had revoked the suspension, allowing year 12 student Brendan Mason to return to classes from 1pm.

“There’s been a misunderstanding (with) what the parents have to do and what the person in charge of this thought they had to do,” Mr Moore said.

Brendan’s dad, Andrew Mason, said his son had a learning disability and would struggle to make up classes he had missed.

“He has a full-time aide at school so we constantly meet with his integration aide, his teachers, we meet with his pathways teachers to help out with what he’s doing, the direction he’s going and what’s happening,” Mr Mason said.

“Ever since year 7 we have constantly had the same processes where we meet with integration and with teachers throughout the year as they need.

“I explained this to (the vice principal) and there was no flexibility from her. She was just like ‘that’s bad luck, that’s policy’.”

Mr Mason said he was "dumbfounded" about why the school punished Brendan for something his parents had done.

“I’m just sort of lost for words really…there’s no flexibility, I’m upset, I’m angry, I just can’t see how they punish children,” he said.

Mr Moore said Brendan had been issued two detentions after his parents missed the meeting but after he didn’t attend either one they were escalated to a one-day suspension.

He admitted Brendan’s parents had not been required to attend the parent-teacher meetings as they attended a separate group session involving Brendan’s aides.

He said the staff member involved in the incident had not understood that, despite Mr Mason explaining it to her.

“I’ll investigate this matter ... I’ll unreservedly apologise - I have to the father and I will in person.”

Mr Mason said Brendan would struggle to return to classes, despite being allowed back.

“I don’t think he can go back today. He’s not up to it, part of his problem is he gets affected by stress…he definitely can’t go back today,” he said.

Mr Mason said he and his wife Dee, who was confined to a wheelchair just six weeks ago after an accident, were on a rare weekend break at the time of the interviews. :sad: :sad: :sad: