STEVE Butyn, principal of strife-torn Werribee Secondary College, believes the worst is over for his school.
Two weeks after a sadistic DVD featuring local teenagers shattered the image of the college and the city, the school community is moving on.
“It’s business as usual,” Mr Butyn said.
“I’m telling the students we’re not taking on other people’s weaknesses.”
Mr Butyn said the school still held the same commitment to its goals it held before two of its students were implicated in crimes documented on the commercially available DVD.
Students from Kardinia International School, in Geelong, were also linked to the DVD.
Some media reports of the incident, implying teenage gangs now rule Wyndham, have disappointed residents like Mayor Shane Bourke.
“We won’t let our spirit be damaged by a few,” he said.
Meanwhile, police have interviewed 11 of the 12 teenage boys featured on the DVD, which shows a gang of young men sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl, throwing eggs at taxi drivers, harassing a homeless man, and hoon-driving.
Simon Clemence, Detective Acting Inspector of the Sexual Crimes Unit, said that new evidence gathered on confiscated computers would strengthen the case against some of the DVD participants.
He said charges could include rape, indecent and sexual assault, and child pornography offences.
The Office of Public Prosecutions is now advising the police how to proceed.
“I’ve handled a number of cases like this, but what’s different here is the gang mentality,” Det said.
Act-Insp Clemence said several parents were as devastated by their sons’ involvement in the DVD as the community.
“Many appear to be upstanding, well-known families who can’t get over what’s happened,” he said.
FM radio station Nova came to the aid of the city’s reputation last Friday morning by broadcasting from Station Place ‘We Love Werribee’ segments.
“Our presenters decided Werribee has copped enough flack,” Nova producer Sasha French said.
The presenters spoke to local celebrities and former residents, including Olympic shooter Russell Mark, singer Anthony Callea, and cricketer Merv Hughes.
Lalor MP Julia Gillard defended Werribee Secondary College in Parliament, saying its students had a right to go about their business unharassed, and she gave the school her full support.
