Cardinia Primary School is dealing with the fallout from an overnight break-in on Monday 17 November, leaving the small school community shaken.
Principal Susan Wepster confirmed around 20 student iPads were stolen, along with several teachers’ personal items, including Pop Vinyl figurines and a Bluetooth speaker.
“We are hoping that we do not discover more losses,” she said.
Ms Wepster also notified families and carers that the theft occurred in the Performing Arts room sometime overnight.
“Please be aware that this has happened, and keep your ears open in the community,” she wrote in an email.
“The matter is being dealt with by the police, and we will pass on any information you may give us.”
Gabby (name changed for privacy), a parent and local business owner who frequently supports the school, said the news sparked immediate anger and sadness.
“Many parents, staff, volunteers and community work tirelessly to provide resources to have them selfishly taken,” she said.
Gabby said the incident does not change her trust in the school’s safety, but it does raise unsettling questions about access and knowledge to storage of the tablets.
“It makes me question if this was done by someone like an uncle, family friend, tradie who has done work at the school, or just a random group and/or person?”
Many agreed the theft is particularly damaging because Cardinia relies heavily on fundraising and the community to support its programs.
“Around a quarter of the school’s population has varying and unique needs,” she said.
“Meaning Cardinia who are already a small school with a small funding budget, are already walking a fine line of support for unique needs children vs their government budget and the rest of schools and students needs.”
Families, staff, volunteers, and the wider community often contribute to improve school essentials, such as drinking taps, garden spaces and playground equipment.
The recent colour run raised vital funds, now overshadowed by the cost of replacing what has been taken.
“Instead of expanding and growing, Cardinia will need to replace what is lost, and this will be at a great disadvantage to staff and students and fundraising efforts. Especially after a successful color run last week,” Gabby said.
Multiple parents told the Gazette that this is not the first time Cardinia Primary has been targeted or forced to replace what they already had strived and achieved.
In previous years, thieves allegedly broke into the school’s sustainability garden, taking a subpod, a birdbath, cacti and four large bags of potting mix.
In a social media post at the time, the school wrote: “It is with much regret that we make this post. This is such a shame because a lot of work has gone into
getting this area up and running. The saddest thing is that it impacts the programs we are running with our students.”
Parents linked both school incidents to the wider and ongoing trend in Melbourne.
“It’s scary to see Melbourne show a huge jump in crime by around 17 per cent compared to last year,” Gabby said.
“That shows the current financial free fall situation that is impacting so many Australians.”
Victoria Police was approached for a comment.
