ABC Kimberley
)Police have launched an investigation into a video linked to revelations of racism among students in regional West Australia.
Readers are advised this article contains explicit and offensive language.
The vision was shared among Broome Senior High School students and appeared to show a non-Indigenous boy kicking an Aboriginal man on the local oval.
It is part of a troubling pattern of racist behaviour and bullying among some students, who have used words like "n*****" and "gin" to refer to their Aboriginal classmates.
The development has come as Education Minister Sue Ellery and Kimberley member-elect Divina D'Anna have weighed in on the controversy.
Small town stunned
The four-second video shows a boy on a bicycle approach a man, who is lying on the ground, from behind before he kicks out at the man's back and rides off.
The clip is captioned with the words "copped it" and was shared among students over the Christmas holidays.
Supplied
)It is unclear when the video was originally made and the identity of the man on the ground is obscured.
The vision and subsequent bullying revelations have stunned the small town, which prides itself on a rich multicultural history.
But some say they are not surprised these tensions have risen to the surface.
The school has struggled with incidents of violence and bullying over the past 18 months.
Last September, Education Department director-general Lisa Rodgers and Assistant Police Commissioner Jo McCabe flew to Broome to meet with concerned parents.
A raft of changes were promised, including the temporary introduction of a security guard.
Aboriginal students were also meant to receive extra support from an Elder-in-residence but efforts to recruit for the position are still underway.
Former student defends school
Those who know the school well are concerned these recent incidents could unfairly reflect on the institution.
After graduating last year, Sean Williams said it was a shame to see negativity overshadow the hard work teachers have been doing every day.
"I think it's a great faculty at Broome Senior," he said.
"I still have some of the teachers giving me a call to see how I'm doing."
While Mr Williams condemned the racism that had come to light, he also stressed that the matters were complex.
"There is a problem at the moment with some racism at the moment but [I think] that's just a few individuals who have been brought up in the wrong way," he said.
The ABC approached the school's board but members declined to comment.
ABC: Erin Parke
)'Something needs to be done': MP
Ms D'Anna said she was saddened to hear about the behaviour and planned to raise the issue directly with Ms Ellery.
"It's high on my list to get in touch with them to see what their plan is.
"Something needs to be done in this space up here in regards to racism and school unity."
Ms D'Anna said the community must also come together to tackle the problem.
"These are predominantly kids and ultimately the future of our town," she said.
"We've built this town on the pride of being a very multicultural town for years.
Supplied: Pexel
)Victims welcome discussion
Indigenous student Anna*, who came forward after being barked at by her classmates and teased for speaking her language, welcomed the increased attention.
"I think it's brilliant that [Ms D'Anna] is pushing for a positive outcome," she said.
"Hopefully this is a good step towards stopping [this kind of behaviour]."
Anna said the revelations were an opportunity to open up a frank conversation on racism in the community.
Non-Indigenous student Jessica*, who has been disgusted by the behaviour, said conversations were already occurring.
"I still feel anxious about it because I don't know what is going to happen, but I think something is going to be done," she said.
Jessica encouraged others who saw racism in the community to take a stand.
ABC News
)Racism 'unacceptable': Minister
In a statement, Ms Ellery said racism of any kind was unacceptable and the whole community must step up.
"It is incumbent on everyone, including parents and family members, to educate young people on what is appropriate, including the language that is used," she said.
"It should also be noted, students are not permitted to use mobile devices at West Australian public schools unless it is for educational purposes."
WA Police has confirmed the investigation into the acts depicted in the video is ongoing.
*The names of the students in this story have been changed to protect their identity.
