Newport schoolboy arrested after another pupil 'stabbed' (From South Wales Argus)

I know this could have happened in any school and is unfortunate. Although I was sad, I wasn't surprised to hear this happened at dyffryn.

broadsworddan wrote:
I know this could have happened in any school and is unfortunate. Although I was sad, I wasn't surprised to hear this happened at dyffryn.

My feelings exactly I'm afraid. No surprise whatsoever.

What kind of assertion are you making? Duffryn High takes pupils from across the west side of the city, not just areas that you find less salubrious.

Owain Vaughan wrote:
What kind of assertion are you making? Duffryn High takes pupils from across the west side of the city, not just areas that you find less salubrious.

The assertion, as it reads, is that a stabbing could happen at any school. The second part of the comment just backed that up... whether it was Duffryn High or any of the 25k+ schools around the UK.

Just awful to think the boy who did this is only 12 years old... Really scary!

Having worked in the area for the last 16yrs i am also not surprised this has happened in Duffryn. The things i've seen the school kids do over the years is shocking. Only recently I came across three youths in duffryn high uniforms trying to set fire to a bush. I know not all kids are like this, but it's no wonder duffryn has such a bad reputation.

halfszdevil wrote:
Having worked in the area for the last 16yrs i am also not surprised this has happened in Duffryn. The things i've seen the school kids do over the years is shocking. Only recently I came across three youths in duffryn high uniforms trying to set fire to a bush. I know not all kids are like this, but it's no wonder duffryn has such a bad reputation.

Are you sure they weren't re-enacting bible stories?

If your court carrying a knife in public 5 years, if you use a knife to stab someone in a public place minimum 10 years, if they wont to stop this crime then start getting serious...

Imagine the shock if the child who did this was in Bassaleg or Rougemont! I went to and live in Duffryn and have had an excellent education, because that's what I wanted for myself, not for my parents benefit or a teachers benefit! If I got told off it was down to my actions not the teachers or my parents!! This child will get a slap on the wrist most from the boys in blue most probably at the end of this, the teachers will say the parents are to blame for him being a clown, the parents will say there shouldn't have been anything to stab him with and it will go round and round until he either realises the error of his ways and goes on the straight and narrow, or feels like a victim and ends up in prison because the systems against him!! Unfortunately in numerous instances, Teachers blame parents, and Parents blame the teachers, and no one can handle the fact that their child is a bit of an idiot!! Too many delusional people in a society of blame culture!!

I went to Duffryn, my oldest daughter also went there and had nothing but problem hence the reason I sent my other 2 children to Bassaleg and what a difference. so glad I did now.

Why don't people wait till the story is 100% accurate and stop making assumption's. Some comments on the SWA site are so not needed as there is a victim and a 12 year old who for some reason has committed this offence. And everything happens for a reason someone especially a 12 year old boy would not got up this morning and planned it if he did there is serious problems

Duffryn is the follow on school from Clytha, I refused to let me child go to Duffryn.....how right i was!

Being a student attending this school I'm utterly ashamed to see the school reflected in this way, however, this isn't the first (and probably won't be the last) time this has happened.
About two years ago the very same incident occured with two other boys who were in year nine at the time, however for whatever reason the information on this attack was suppressed in every way possible.
The only difference between these attacks is that the ethnicity of the two boys were the same in this instance, however in the previous attack two years ago one child was not of British decent whilst the other was.
Why is it that a child's ethnicity gives them immunity from the press as well as partial immunity to punishment?
This happens so frequently, it needs to be discussed with the headteacher and more so dealt with as it's becoming a very serious problem at Duffryn High.
There are a plethora of examples to do with teachers being scared of accusing and punishing those of foreign decent in Duffryn, just look at the many children quite clearly smoking marijuana on school grounds and not being punished for it when they're foreign, but whenever a child is of British decent, the teachers are more than happy to use all their power to punish the child.
The school really needs a lesson in equal treatment and needs to stop being scaremongered into not punishing students in the same way regardless of the child's ethnic background.
I hope this will be the catalyst that allows this kind of crime to cease!

also being a pupil at Duffryn its pathetic to see what people think our school is like we've got excellent GCSE results and just because this has happened our schools got a slatting and most people don't even no what's happened the boy who got hurt was taken to hospital and walked into the ambulance yes I no its appalling what's happened and it shouldn't of happened but it doesn't mean that the school deserves a slatting over the internet.

We reap what we so. Those in authority must, must, must stop cautioning people for carrying weapons, especially blades, irrespective of age.

replay wrote:
also being a pupil at Duffryn its pathetic to see what people think our school is like we've got excellent GCSE results and just because this has happened our schools got a slatting and most people don't even no what's happened the boy who got hurt was taken to hospital and walked into the ambulance yes I no its appalling what's happened and it shouldn't of happened but it doesn't mean that the school deserves a slatting over the internet.

This incident has nothing to do with the success of students in terms of their academic achievements but rather the callous behaviour of students which is becoming increasingly common trait over the last few years.
If I were a father to even one child I would almost certainly rather put their education at stake a little (B grade rather than an A grade) as opposed to seeing them in harms way and furthermore seeing that not much is being done to dishearten students from mimicing this sort of crime.
Furthermore, even if we were to delve into the achieved grades of students of Duffryn High School, you would realise that it's rather sinister in the way it fool parents into having false hope in their children.
What I mean by this is that the school happily boasts about it's A-level succes rate for example, claiming that 96% of students get a pass rate.
Now, to most parents and employers I know, a pass grade would be considered an A*-C grade, however, the school deems a pass grade to be D and E grades too, something a lot of employers won't even look at.
Also, you're totally right, the school does not deserve slating over the internet, it deserves this harsh critisism to be discussed face-to-face as well as over the internet.
Overall, I truely wish I never attended Duffryn High School and would also advise parents to not allow their children to attend this abominable school.

I was there today when this happened. And I find it pathetic that people are saying I'm not surprised that it happened at Duffryn. Because if this student was in Rougemont the same could of happened and people don't know if he has personal worries,I know it's not the right way to react but no teacher could stop him.
It isn't the schools fault if they new this would happen they would of stopped it however they could of.
All the teachers at Duffryn High are excellent and do their best at keeping us all safe.

abominable school I don't think so duffryn reacted well to what happened the police and ambulance was called instantly and the situation was dealt with really well so duffryn isn't an "abominable school" its a school with a bad reputation because of a few idiots

Nothing to do with the school itself. Did 'the school' stab this kid? No. A pupil did. I attended this school in the late 80's/early 90's & it was rough then but all of my friends now have successful jobs & relationships. I dont think it really matters which school you attend to determine how your life will turn out. I have friends who went to private school & have no common sense & no stable job. Whereas my Duffryn friends are mostly all happy & successful. I now recruit people for my organisation & the school people went to, gcsc's & even A level's & degrees they have are almost irrelevant.

Long live duffryn!

I hope that the other boy is OK.
I have no axe to grind but it's not helpful that some posters on here are labelling the whole school. It must be demoralising for hard working, well behaved pupils to see this. The actions of one student have been judged typical of the entire school. It should be remembered that it is children that are being referred to and it is unfair to stigmatise those who are not involved in this way.

i WeNt to dYffran - dindnt do mee no harme!

This is obviously a very bad incidence. That should not have happened, but the school can not be blamed for a child's act. The school's done exactly what they should have which was to: call the emergency services and let the police know what had happened. I do not appreciate the fact that some people are criticizing the whole school just because of the act of a very foolish, maybe even physiologically disturbed child. It is just wrong to say that "it's no surprise" - that's completely unfair. The teachers, staff, students and John Wilson the headteacher work very hard to make this school the best. And to develop high standards no matter what. So please don't judge the whole school just because of some idiots.

Keith Barnett wrote:
i WeNt to dYffran - dindnt do mee no harme!

Exactly my point. The school can not be criticized for a child's action.

I am NOT surprised that this has happened in any Newport school. In fact, any school within the UK. We have a culture of bullying in our classrooms and it gets worse as the years go by. I am not surprised it has progressed to this. I am disappointed with the education system in the UK; it has failed miserably to enforce a culture of learning - instead students treat school like an activity/community centre. In addition, Leadership in Education is failing our children - teachers are failing to TEACH. Even good teachers are frustrated by poor leadership. I know exactly where the general blame should fall. EVERY single parent that has a child at Duffryn High School should REFUSE to send their child to school until they have all had a letter from the government PROMISING a full enquiry into what happened at this school. It is a parent's duty to send their child to school but our children have a Right to a safe learning environment.

Ravens wrote:

replay wrote:
also being a pupil at Duffryn its pathetic to see what people think our school is like we've got excellent GCSE results and just because this has happened our schools got a slatting and most people don't even no what's happened the boy who got hurt was taken to hospital and walked into the ambulance yes I no its appalling what's happened and it shouldn't of happened but it doesn't mean that the school deserves a slatting over the internet.

This incident has nothing to do with the success of students in terms of their academic achievements but rather the callous behaviour of students which is becoming increasingly common trait over the last few years.
If I were a father to even one child I would almost certainly rather put their education at stake a little (B grade rather than an A grade) as opposed to seeing them in harms way and furthermore seeing that not much is being done to dishearten students from mimicing this sort of crime.
Furthermore, even if we were to delve into the achieved grades of students of Duffryn High School, you would realise that it's rather sinister in the way it fool parents into having false hope in their children.
What I mean by this is that the school happily boasts about it's A-level succes rate for example, claiming that 96% of students get a pass rate.
Now, to most parents and employers I know, a pass grade would be considered an A*-C grade, however, the school deems a pass grade to be D and E grades too, something a lot of employers won't even look at.
Also, you're totally right, the school does not deserve slating over the internet, it deserves this harsh critisism to be discussed face-to-face as well as over the internet.
Overall, I truely wish I never attended Duffryn High School and would also advise parents to not allow their children to attend this abominable school.

Well the school can't make EVERYONE happy now can they. Some people get the best out of it, and some people like yourself don't really. It's a way of life.

My child attends Duffryn Comp and so did I. I am very happy with the school and have found the teachers and school exceptional with regards to support care and attention to our children. My child is really upset by many of the comments posted today as it really undermines all the children, teachers and their hard work. It certainly is not the whole schools fault that one child has behaved in this way. My child knows the boy who was stabbed and describes him as an excellent student and good friend, how can others judge the school and pupils without being there and just hearing the bad stories. What about the good stories you never get to hear? Try attending a family assembly and feel the praise and pride within the school. Try attending the many open evenings and witness all the good the school instills. Yes the school may be attended by a few idiots but the overwhelming majority are fabulous children and fabulous teachers. Thank you Duffryn X

crazyhippo84 wrote:
My child attends Duffryn Comp and so did I. I am very happy with the school and have found the teachers and school exceptional with regards to support care and attention to our children. My child is really upset by many of the comments posted today as it really undermines all the children, teachers and their hard work. It certainly is not the whole schools fault that one child has behaved in this way. My child knows the boy who was stabbed and describes him as an excellent student and good friend, how can others judge the school and pupils without being there and just hearing the bad stories. What about the good stories you never get to hear? Try attending a family assembly and feel the praise and pride within the school. Try attending the many open evenings and witness all the good the school instills. Yes the school may be attended by a few idiots but the overwhelming majority are fabulous children and fabulous teachers. Thank you Duffryn X

Thank you so much for saying this. Every word you said is so true. People are never to late to exploit or criticize bad things that happen at Duffryn High school but aren't even bothered with the good ones. Duffryn High School has raised over a £1000 for Red Nose Day. Did anyone hear about that? Or try to publish it in the newspaper. NO right. Well exactly my point. Do not judge the school just because of one child's act.

"If your court..? carrying.If they wont..? to stop" come on Welshmen? What sort of school did you go to.

Ravens wrote:
Being a student attending this school I'm utterly ashamed to see the school reflected in this way, however, this isn't the first (and probably won't be the last) time this has happened.
About two years ago the very same incident occured with two other boys who were in year nine at the time, however for whatever reason the information on this attack was suppressed in every way possible.
The only difference between these attacks is that the ethnicity of the two boys were the same in this instance, however in the previous attack two years ago one child was not of British decent whilst the other was.
Why is it that a child's ethnicity gives them immunity from the press as well as partial immunity to punishment?
This happens so frequently, it needs to be discussed with the headteacher and more so dealt with as it's becoming a very serious problem at Duffryn High.
There are a plethora of examples to do with teachers being scared of accusing and punishing those of foreign decent in Duffryn, just look at the many children quite clearly smoking marijuana on school grounds and not being punished for it when they're foreign, but whenever a child is of British decent, the teachers are more than happy to use all their power to punish the child.
The school really needs a lesson in equal treatment and needs to stop being scaremongered into not punishing students in the same way regardless of the child's ethnic background.
I hope this will be the catalyst that allows this kind of crime to cease!

Totally agree!!! The school has rules for some and rules for others. As a parent this is totally frustrating when you can clearly see children being treated differently due to race/culture. The school needs to stop trying to be seen as politically correct, stop making pathetic excuses for their lack of control and get a grip!!!!!

Way to take most of what I've said out of proportion simply because defenders of Duffryn High can't take being critisized.
Just a quick question to those getting rather angry at what I've said, where did I claim that this audeal wasn't dealt with correctly?
I never claimed that at all, so why you're bringing that up in some form of responce is a bit weird..
As I clearly stated in my first comment this isn't just one child though is it? The very same thing happened two years ago but the school tried it's very best to keep it all under wraps and then had the audacity to barely punish the boy who had stabbed the other person.
I hate to say it but I haven't seen any 'stabbing' reports in any other schools yet I have seen articles about Duffryn time and again about how it must improve the way it caters towards students and how it can be quite dangerous.
Also what kind of redemption is that? Sure, it is a great achievement to have raised £1000 for charity of which I'm very happy to see however that should excuse the fact that Duffryn still harbours a multitude of dangerous activities, both violence and drug wise..
Also, to these people who're claiming Duffryn offers 'excellent' support, I'm afraid you've just got somewhat lucky.
I myself have been the victim of bullying in this terrible school and had reported it over five times whilst in year seven to various teachers and they did nothing to help me, as a matter of fact they made things worse by almost showing me as some kind of snich!
This bullying carried on for over a year before I finally snapped and retaliated physically, which seemed to get the attention of teachers, strange how the moment something that could catch the news' eye happens they take an interest but if a child is harms way (physically or mentally) but the press or anyone else won't find out they won't do anything to help.
Don't get me wrong (which some of you clearly have), there are some excellent teachers there, who both provide excellent learning support as well as emotional support for issues even outside of school, but for the most part the teachers really don't care all that much for their student's wellbeing.
As I've stated a few times now, there are some good things that go on within Duffryn High School, however there are also some very urgent matters that need to be addressed as soon as possible.

*Should not excuse!
That would have looked terrible if it wasn't corrected..

Loinuk wrote:

Ravens wrote:
Being a student attending this school I'm utterly ashamed to see the school reflected in this way, however, this isn't the first (and probably won't be the last) time this has happened.
About two years ago the very same incident occured with two other boys who were in year nine at the time, however for whatever reason the information on this attack was suppressed in every way possible.
The only difference between these attacks is that the ethnicity of the two boys were the same in this instance, however in the previous attack two years ago one child was not of British decent whilst the other was.
Why is it that a child's ethnicity gives them immunity from the press as well as partial immunity to punishment?
This happens so frequently, it needs to be discussed with the headteacher and more so dealt with as it's becoming a very serious problem at Duffryn High.
There are a plethora of examples to do with teachers being scared of accusing and punishing those of foreign decent in Duffryn, just look at the many children quite clearly smoking marijuana on school grounds and not being punished for it when they're foreign, but whenever a child is of British decent, the teachers are more than happy to use all their power to punish the child.
The school really needs a lesson in equal treatment and needs to stop being scaremongered into not punishing students in the same way regardless of the child's ethnic background.
I hope this will be the catalyst that allows this kind of crime to cease!

Totally agree!!! The school has rules for some and rules for others. As a parent this is totally frustrating when you can clearly see children being treated differently due to race/culture. The school needs to stop trying to be seen as politically correct, stop making pathetic excuses for their lack of control and get a grip!!!!!

Thank you LoinUk, I'm glad you saw the point I was initially trying to put across in that this is exactly the kind of example needed to prove that the school has a serious issue in the fact that it gets frightened way too easily, especially by the threat of the press or more so the race card.
Obviously though those who love Duffryn deeply haven't had the rationality to read what I wrote properly, otherwise they would have seen that I was not in any way having a go at the school for the way that they dealt with the situation but instead how this was dealt with differently from a previous case despite the only difference being that in this instance they were both British but in the previous incident the attacker was foreign.

I went to Duffryn high and decided to stay on for my Alevels to which I got excellent grades (A's) I find it terribly sad that the school is being reflected like this. I had bullying issues in years 7-8 but with the really GOOD staff their I got through it. Yes, there are bad stories but no one school is perfect.

People who stereotype the place saying I'm not surprised need to look hard at their areas. Just because it is a predominantly council estate doesn't mean everyone is destined for one thing!

I find it hard to believe that in such a modern time/society this school is being subject to abuse on this standard. I do not agree with all the rules that the head teacher applies but I'd like to see all those slating the school come in and do better!!

Action should be taken against this boy yes, and it probably won't. But don't blame the school for the stupid action of one boy, it's not like they get this coverage if they do something good now is it!

foxy3rd wrote:
"If your court..? carrying.If they wont..? to stop" come on Welshmen? What sort of school did you go to.

Sorry Sir, Caught not court Want not wont. and Duffryn....pity you not on the ball with the actual post....

It sounds like it has been blown out of all proportion . Emotive words like stabbed convey a more serious spin. The likelyhood is someone has been prodded with a compass and the 'elfnsafety mob have burst into action.

in 2008 i went with my grandson --new to Newport -- to register for a place at Duffryn High school. We stood waiting in the foyer while a group of teachers gossiped away not even acknowledging our presence, while pupils ran by shouting as if they were in a playground.
The foyer was strewn with crisp bags and sundry bits of rubbish .... We left and found another school where the teachers and pupils took pride in themselves and their environment.Thank goodness we did...

AndrewCollinsSunflow
er wrote:
I went to Duffryn high and decided to stay on for my Alevels to which I got excellent grades (A's) I find it terribly sad that the school is being reflected like this. I had bullying issues in years 7-8 but with the really GOOD staff their I got through it. Yes, there are bad stories but no one school is perfect.

People who stereotype the place saying I'm not surprised need to look hard at their areas. Just because it is a predominantly council estate doesn't mean everyone is destined for one thing!

I find it hard to believe that in such a modern time/society this school is being subject to abuse on this standard. I do not agree with all the rules that the head teacher applies but I'd like to see all those slating the school come in and do better!!

Action should be taken against this boy yes, and it probably won't. But don't blame the school for the stupid action of one boy, it's not like they get this coverage if they do something good now is it!

The pupils at Duffryn are drawn from a wide area -which includes areas other than council estates- Perhaps it is time we held parents responsible for their offspring -- example --- kid steals a car trashes it, thousands of pounds in damage and police time ect, if parents had to pick up that tab they would soon crack down on their children. How much has it cost in police and hospital time to deal with this child.

Classic SWA comments. Take very limited facts about an alleged assault and turn it into a 37-comment boxing match about the venue.

You get pupils like this in all schools including independants. My son goes to Careleon Comprehensive which is supposed to be one of the better schools in Newport. He has been bullied, harrassed and humilated by another pupil that comes from a so called middle class family. Another pupil in his year has been removed from the school by his parents because of bullying.

You cannot label Duffyn as a school full of thugs because of 1 pupil. I went to Duffryn and as with any school it has it's good pupils and it's trouble makers.

Started reading the comments, until I lost the will to read any further. All these assumptions of the ethnicity of the two 12 year old boys involved.

Both boys are white British boys, not European white boys. One day they are friends on another day they are not.

How do I know, my son is in the same class as the two boys.

SO EVERYBODY, GET THE FACTS FIRST.

This is obviously a very bad incidence. That should not have happened, but the school can not be blamed for a child's act. The school's done exactly what they should have which was to: call the emergency services and let the police know what had happened. I do not appreciate the fact that some people are criticizing the whole school just because of the act of a very foolish, maybe even physiologically disturbed child. It is just wrong to say that "it's no surprise" - that's completely unfair. The teachers, staff, students and John Wilson the headteacher work very hard to make this school the best. And to develop high standards no matter what. So please don't judge the whole school just because of some idiots.

Shut the school and put all the kids down the mines, I'm sure there are a few chimneys that need sweeping too...

Every school has kids carrying knives, sad fact of life nowadays. I feel so sorry for Duffryn High School, as I know how hard the staff work. This is a complete disaster for them, in terms of pupil recruitment, but people need to remember that this could have happened in any comprehensive school across Britain.

Would I send my children to Duffryn, no way. Would I send them to Bassaleg or Caerleon, no way. I've chosen Welsh medium education, simply because it's far better! Best decision I've made!

I used to catch the same bus as many Duffryn pupils every morning, heading from the town centre bus station out towards Tredegar Park. They were as pleasant a bunch of kids as you could hope to meet, though I did observe some very ill-mannered behaviour - mostly rolled eyes and muttered comments - towards them from some adults on the bus.

As it happens, my son goes to Rougemont School, and just like Duffryn, you get good kids and bad kids... kids with problems, and kids who help the kids with their problems. I'd have happily sent my boy to Duffryn, but alas, I'm not quite as enamoured with the Welsh language as the poster above.

replay wrote:
also being a pupil at Duffryn its pathetic to see what people think our school is like we've got excellent GCSE results and just because this has happened our schools got a slatting and most people don't even no what's happened the boy who got hurt was taken to hospital and walked into the ambulance yes I no its appalling what's happened and it shouldn't of happened but it doesn't mean that the school deserves a slatting over the internet.

I see standards of English grammar, spelling and punctuation have slipped since I was a pupil at Duffryn!

Gareth wrote:
Classic SWA comments. Take very limited facts about an alleged assault and turn it into a 37-comment boxing match about the venue.

It didn't help with the opening post saying "I wasn't surprised to hear this happened at Duffryn. Insinuating it was a rough school and near a council estate hence the 37 comment boxing match

Also some misleading reporting by the Argus, he could have been stabbed with a compass or something..

Gooding wrote:
Every school has kids carrying knives, sad fact of life nowadays. I feel so sorry for Duffryn High School, as I know how hard the staff work. This is a complete disaster for them, in terms of pupil recruitment, but people need to remember that this could have happened in any comprehensive school across Britain.

Would I send my children to Duffryn, no way. Would I send them to Bassaleg or Caerleon, no way. I've chosen Welsh medium education, simply because it's far better! Best decision I've made!

No knives in Welsh schools - just love spoons is it?