Parents and carers of students at Calwell High School are considering pulling their children out of the school, saying they were unaware of the extent of bullying and safety risks at the campus.
It comes as the Education Minister Yvette Berry survived a no-confidence motion on Wednesday after the workplace safety watchdog issued a prohibition notice to the school over serious risks to health and safety.
Parents were initially told in a letter on Friday that year 7 and 8 would be moving to remote learning for the last week of term "primarily due to staff isolating with COVID-19 or as household contacts, and other challenges associated with maintaining a safe learning environment for all students and staff."
Parents who have spoken to The Canberra Times said they were unaware of the full extent of the staff shortages and safety issues until they saw media reports of daily incidents of verbal and physical abuse from students to other student and teachers.
Parents and carers were made aware of a serious incident two weeks ago relating to an assault in the principal's office which triggered a school-wide lockdown.
According to the prohibition notice the principal "was thrown across her desk" and another teacher sustained broken teeth, a dislocated shoulder, welts and bruising while trying to prevent one student assaulting another.
One mother said she had a good impression of the school during orientation but over the past year had noticed bullying and behavioural issues which prompted a request to transfer schools.
"How do you send them back if you know they could get injured?" she said.
Another mother said her daughter did not want to return after being verbally abused by other students.
"I'm upset and angry about this situation," she said.
"It's unacceptable that it had to get to this stage before we heard anything about it."
The Calwell High School P&C representatives declined to comment.
ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Associations spokeswoman Janelle Kennard said getting clear, specific information to families as soon as possible was important as parents were feeling more distant from schools because of COVID restrictions.
She said the council was grateful for the effort schools were making to keep the doors open after two years of disruption.
"Parents can understand that staff shortages are a reality everywhere," Ms Kennard said.
"We don't want school staff to be pushed so far that it's no longer a safe environment."
Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee was scathing of Ms Berry when she moved the motion of no confidence, demanding her resignation.
"On this minister's watch Calwell High School has become every teacher, every student and every parent's worst nightmare," Ms Lee said.
"The minister has had the education portfolio for five years. Five years of incompetence, five years of failures and five years of dangerous workplaces."
Ms Berry told the assembly Calwell High School's principal was on leave and Education Directorate executives and counsellors were on site to support staff.
"I want to be very clear, violent incidents like this are very rare in ACT public schools and when they do occur, we treat them very seriously as we have done in this instance," Ms Berry said.
