Michael Kable allegedly assaulted a student at Maitland Grossmann High School after a fight broke out between the pair in a classroom yesterday.
Student Mike Tansi told 9News the 62-year-old teacher tried to look after all of them.
His classmate Hayden Thomas said he felt bad for Kable.
“He’s one of those teachers who tried really hard and honestly I feel for him,” Thomas said.
The mother of the boy involved in the physical altercation told 9News she did not condone the students’ behaviour, but that a teacher never has a right to lay a hand on a pupil.
Police said the brawl appeared to have been sparked by a paper fight, with footage filmed by another student emerging after the incident.
It’s alleged the teacher was grabbing a teen by his collar and pulling him down onto a desk.
A student hurled a table at the teacher.
Later, classmates can be seen rushing out the door.
The student involved in the incident was assessed by paramedics. He was not physically injured.
Police have confirmed the footage will form part of their investigation and the Department of Education is also looking into the incident.
9News has reached out to Maitland Grossmann High for comment.
Kable was charged with common assault at Belmont Police Station but granted bail after his arrest.
