Furious footy NRL star Anthon Colella says teacher grabbed his son at private school
Furious footy star says teacher at his son’s prestigious private school grabbed 14-year-old by the collar and held him against a wall – as police get involved
- Teen allegedly held against a wall by teacher
- Alleged incident at St Augustine’s College in Sydney
- The 14-year-old is the son of former NRL star Anthony Colella
- An irate Mr Colella said: ‘People must be held accountable’
Former NRL star Anthony Colella wants ‘people to take responsibility’ and denounced a ‘culture of bullying’ after his teenage son was allegedly grabbed by the collar by a teacher and held against a wall on Sydney’s northern beaches.
The alleged incident recently took place at St Augustine’s College, a prestigious Catholic boys’ school in Brookvale.
Daily Mail Australia also understands that the male teacher in question has not been withdrawn by the College at this stage.
Colella, 47, who played in the 1997 ARL Grand Final for the Sea Eagles, has involved NSW Police after his son Sonny, 14, came home ‘a little shaken’ and told him what had allegedly happened.
‘He didn’t want to go in [Dee Why] police station but we had to,â an irate Colella, who also played for the Raiders and Rabbitohs at NRL level, told the Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday.
Former NRL star Anthony Colella seeks answers after his teenage son was allegedly grabbed by a teacher’s collar and held against a wall
The alleged incident happened recently at St Augustine’s College, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches (the alleged victim is Sonny Colella, son of Anthony Colella (pictured centre)
“The school has a culture of bullying, people have to be held accountable.”
It is alleged that the male member of staff – who according to Mr Colella is ‘willing to apologize quietly once the police have completed their investigation’ – pulled Sonny’s uniform while drinking from a water tap between classes.
The teacher allegedly told the youngster that the tap was only for filling water bottles and then allegedly held it against a wall.
The alleged incident was captured on video by another student with a mobile phone and then widely circulated to students and shocked parents.
Mr Colella confirmed that he saw the vision from another student’s phone and “couldn’t believe it, especially since it was my boy.”
Footage of the teacher’s alleged actions was captured on video (photo) by another student using a cell phone
An investigation has since been launched by the College and Principal Jonathan Byrne has contacted Mr Colella.
“As this falls under child protection standards, the college has gone through the mandatory processes that are part of how we must report, and are investigating cases such as what has been reported that could be a violation of child safety standards,” an email from the agency read. college.
âAt this stage, statements have been collected from those who witnessed the incident and the police have also been notified. Then we form one [final] display.’
St Augustine’s College told News Corp it was unable to comment further as the alleged incident remains the subject of police and internal school inquiries.