Tag Archives: oceania

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Sydney school using CCTV to track kids’ toilet use

A private school on Sydney's upper north shore has begun keeping an eye on students' toilet use with CCTV outside bathrooms and alerting parents when their kids enter and exit.

In a newsletter sent to parents, St Leo's Catholic College in Wahroonga alerted that it would be stepping up supervision of toilet use due to "vandalism and poor decision making" in the newly refurbished bathrooms.

"The College has implemented a number of strategies in an effort to address this concerning trend," assistant principal Patrick Brennan said in the statement.

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An email sent to a parent at the college.

"These include additional supervision outside bathroom areas, encouraging students to use the facilities during breaks, increasing CCTV monitoring of entry and exit points, engaging NSW Police where perpetrators are identified, and encouraging students to be upstanders by reporting inappropriate behaviour."

Brennan said that the school had noticed an increasing trend during class time and, in response, has been trialling tracking student access to the bathroom during lessons.

The school said this new trial "has provided valuable data to support conversations with both students and parents".

Brennan acknowledged that parents and carers may find the alerts sent directly to their phones "unnecessary or even frustrating".

"It was certainly not our intention to cause concern or suggest that a single bathroom visit is problematic," he said.

"Rather, it is hoped, and we are already seeing evidence, that the trial is encouraging students to use the bathrooms at times during the day when supervision is present and better decisions are being made."

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Banners of St. Leo's Catholic College.

In a statement following the initial newsletter, St Leo's Catholic College principal Tony Gleeson reiterated that the cameras are only located "in external and publicly accessible areas such as playgrounds and entry and exit points".

"Their purpose is to support the safety of students and staff, deter unsafe behaviour, and assist in maintaining a secure school environment," Gleeson said.

"No cameras have ever been placed in private or sensitive areas such as bathrooms, and all practices fully comply with Catholic Schools Broken Bay policies and relevant privacy legislation."

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Gang allegedly enlisted teenager in daycare murder plot, court hears

A teen rugby hopeful's chances of playing professionally are in tatters after allegedly being enlisted into a gang that sought to murder a man outside a daycare centre.

Ata Junior Misi is facing gang-related charges, after he allegedly worked for a Sydney group known as The Final Crime Family by moving four stolen cars ahead of an attempted murder plot in October.

In a conversation recorded by police, the 19-year-old said he initially thought the plan was to kidnap the victim.

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Police say they intercepted a "kill team" on its way to make a hit outside a daycare centre. (HANDOUT/NSW POLICE)

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"When he walks out the house, just bang, take him," he is quoted as saying in the recording.

"Oh swear, oh f— I thought it was just a kidnap.

"So is he getting killed?"

In the recording, which only picked up Misi's side of the conversation, the landscaper could be heard talking about getting a tattoo for the gang and the possibility he could be asked to commit murder.

"Yeah I think it is me lad, coz I'm the f—ing newest," the now 19-year-old allegedly said.

This conversation was revealed in court documents seen by AAP after Misi made a bail bid in the NSW Supreme Court in late February.

Misi had moved to Sydney from Griffith in the state's Riverina region when he allegedly became embroiled with The Final Crime Family.

He was known by the Samoan NSW Rugby League and hoped to move to Sydney to join the NSW Rugby Union pathways program, the court previously heard.

In late September, Misi allegedly helped relocate four "hotties" – a stolen blue Subaru Outback, beige Jeep Wrangler, grey Nissan Navara and blue Mitsubishi Outlander – positioning them to be used in the lethal plan.

In Misi's bail hearing, Justice Robertson Wright noted these discussions suggested criminal connections of a troubling kind.

"It is not unknown for criminal groups to actually employ these young men quite often with sporting connections because they do have an ability and strength of training," he said.

The court documents claim police found a "kidnap kit" stashed in the Nissan Navara containing a sledgehammer, two baseball bats, duct tape, a pillow case, a torch and zip ties.

Three days before the alleged daycare plot, Misi's girlfriend allegedly told him her brother was in prison for setting up cars for murders.

"Sounds familiar," the 19-year-old allegedly said.

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Officers located a Glock-style pistol with a pink slide.

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Police say the plot was foiled on October 7 when they swooped in and arrested three other men on their way to the daycare centre, charging them with conspiracy to murder.

One of them was allegedly wearing a GoPro video camera at the time.

Officers located a Glock-style pistol with a pink slide and a cardboard sign with "T.F.C.F The Final Crime Family" written on it within the vehicles.

On an encrypted chat on a smartphone found within one of the cars, eight participants openly chatted about the intended murder, police claim.

"We wannr (sic) hit the dog out front of the day care," one message read.

"Shoot point blank at him," another said.

Someone said the cardboard sign should be placed on top of the individual's body.

Two vehicles owned by the intended target were allegedly fitted with GPS tracking devices monitored by the criminal group, police claim.

Misi and another man were arrested on October 9 at Oran Park in Sydney's west.

Misi has not yet pleaded to a variety of charges, including dealing with property intending it to be an instrument of crime, dealing with proceeds of crime, conspiracy to kidnap and participating in a criminal gang.

In late February, Justice Robertson adjourned the bail hearing, saying the proposed conditions did not properly mitigate any risks Misi posed to the community.

The judge still could grant bail at a future hearing and has asked for evidence the 19-year-old would be fully supervised if allowed to live with his family in Griffith.

The matter will return to court tomorrow.

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Melbourne dad’s ‘urgent’ plea to the ABC is finally answered

Melbourne dad James Wright's plea to the ABC has finally been answered.

A year after launching a petition "urgently" asking the national broadcaster and the creators of Bluey to air episodes in Auslan, Wright can soon watch the beloved TV show alongside his daughter following a historic announcement.

The ABC yesterday announced it will provide Auslan-accessible options for some of Bluey's most popular episodes from April 13.

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James Wright Bluey Auslan petition

The important change means Wright's two-year-old daughter – who was born profoundly deaf – can share in the "same cultural moments" as her family and friends.

"For my daughter, it means she can experience these shows in her first language," Wright, who is esctatic by the news, told nine.com.au.

"As a parent, it's really moving to see this happen.

"Kids who use Auslan will now be able to enjoy many of the same shows as every other Australian child."

Wright led the charge after realising only one episode had been translated into Auslan and over 14,000 people joined his cause on Change.org.

It took over 12 months, but change is now coming.

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James Wright Bluey Auslan petition

"We're delighted to bring Auslan to our children's programming on ABC iview, and to create a more accessible, inclusive and connected experience for all young Australians as they enjoy our much‑loved children's content," ABC's head of screen Jennifer Collins said.

The episodes which will be Auslan-accessible will be Gardening Australia Jr, Ginger and the Vegesaurs, Kangaroo Beach, Fizzy & Suds, Knee High Spies, and later on this year, Flower & Flour.

The broadcaster said it will also roll out more titles with Auslan translations each year on ABC iView.

April 13 coincides with Auslan Day, which celebrates the deaf community in Australia.

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Bluey episode which uses Auslan

Wright had previously called on the ABC to translate all available 150 episodes of Bluey into Auslan, instead of simply adding closed captions.

The ABC met with Wright last year following his petition and said at the time they were "grateful to him for taking the time to discuss this important issue with us".

At the time, the show featured Auslan in just one episode titled Turtleboy, which involved a character named Dougie using sign language.

Queensland-based Ludo Studio, which produces Bluey, collaborated with consultants from Deaf Connect to bring the inclusive episode to life.

Wright said he is "holding his breath" to see the episodes air on April 13.

While it is an encouraging move from the ABC, he said there is far more work to be done to ensure deaf children feel welcome in popular culture.

"This is an important step, and hopefully the beginning of many more," he added.

"I hope this helps normalise the presence of Auslan across Australian media."

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