Several fights broke out between students and teachers at CedarBridge Academy last Wednesday, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

Principal Kalmar Richards was injured in one of several punch-ups that took place around the school. She was attempting to break up a fight along with with a few other teachers, a teacher said last night.

"They (CedarBridge students) have a mob mentality, there is little regard for authority," said the teacher, who requested anonymity.

"A lot of students are disturbed emotionally and they are frustrated that they cannot cope in the classroom.

Sometimes they vent their frustration by lashing out physically and verbally."

The teacher added: "Lately, the therapists are too few and the guidance counsellors are stretched beyond their limits."

Deputy principal Anthony Wade denied being injured in one of the six or seven fights despite a witness saying that a group of students jumped him.

Mr. Wade said: "I was not touched in any way by any student."

He also denied punching a student.

"I've heard this rumour connected with me that I was injured in a fight but I was not injured in anyway," Mr. Wade said.

A source said that a CedarBridge teacher may have been sent to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital after attempting to break up a fight and another teacher was hit in the face during the melee.

Another incident took place when a student went into a classroom and threw books around and was asked to leave by a teacher. The student then knocked the teacher down and stepped on her while leaving the classroom, said the teacher.

"Kalmar (Richards) dealt with things swiftly, trying to identify the students and she restored order quickly," said the teacher.

And the teacher said that students involved in last week's melee were either suspended or sent to detention.

The teacher added that the students who committed major assaults may even be expelled.

Students tend to not care if a teacher or security guard is present and they will start fights anyway, said the teacher.

"Nothing scares these kids. They say or do whatever they want and when they want."

Most of the fighting occurred in the north block of the school, said the teacher.

Last night the Ministry of Education confirmed that a fight took place.

"This afternoon Minister of Education Terry Lister and Ministry officials met with school staff and gave them an opportunity to voice their concerns. The altercation is under active investigation and no further comment will be forthcoming. The matter will be dealt with in accordance with the Code of Conduct along with the recommendations that came from the school's principal."

Ms Richards did not return phone calls by press time.