A GROUP of angry Toowoomba mothers has taken a stand against playground bullies terrorising their children at Wilsonton State School.

Michelle Dubery had to pull her eight-year-old daughter, Paris, out of Wilsonton State School to stop her being assaulted by schoolyard bullies.

Loren Crabb and Natalya Edser are also considering pulling their children from the school after Mrs Crabb’s seven-year-old son, Luke, broke his collarbone on Thursday when he was pushed to the ground by another student who was trying to start a fight.

Mrs Crabb said Luke was injured in the playground during lunch, but she was not contacted about the incident.

She said staff put an icepack on his shoulder and he went back to class.

It wasn’t until she took him to hospital that night that she knew how seriously he was injured.

"He was in pain all afternoon and I didn’t know about it — I was extremely angry. I went to pieces."

Another mother has started visiting the school at lunchtime to supervise and protect her child from bullies.

The concerned mothers decided to speak out about what they said was a "bullying problem" at the school.

"Even though I’ve pulled Paris out, I can’t let it go on while there are other children going through what she went through," Ms Dubery said.

"Nothing is being done about the bullying and a lot of parents are fed up."

The school has an anti-bullying program called Peacepal 5, but Ms Dubery said it did not appear to be working.

"Unfortunately it’s very far from peaceful pals," she said.

Miss Edser said her seven-year-old daughter, Makayla, had come home from school several times with bruises on her body after being punched and kicked by other students.

Miss Edser said her mother had offered to go to the school at lunchtime to "protect her grandchildren".

"Every time the phone rings during the day I’m worried my kids have been bashed at school," she said.

"If nothing is done about it I will be pulling my children out. They’re not safe at that school.

"I can see it going on until someone’s child ends up seriously hurt or dead."

The Chronicle contacted representatives of Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson while he was in Toowoomba yesterday, but was directed to a spokesman for Education Queensland.

The spokesman said the school did not have a bullying problem and was not aware of any recent issues related to bullying.

"The school is aware of an incident on Thursday last week during which a year 3 boy injured his shoulder," the spokesman said.

"After speaking with both students, the school believes the incident was isolated and not symptomatic of any ongoing bullying problem within the school."

Yesterday afternoon principal Jeff Jones informed Mrs Crabb the school had purchased special speech recognition software for Luke to assist him while he recuperated from the injury to his "writing" arm.

The spokesman said the school had put in place an innovative program for all students that promoted a safe and supportive environment at the school.

"The Peacepal 5 initiative enjoys strong support within the school and its community."

The program is promoted every Friday on parade as well as during classes. Students are also rewarded with Peacepal wristbands for good behaviour.

"Any student who feels threatened or harassed is encouraged to seek specialist support and counselling at any time," the spokesman said.

"Any parent who has concerns about specific incidents is encouraged to contact the principal," the spokesman said.

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