By JESSE GRAHAM
HODDLES CREEK Primary School has been devastated by a brazen robbery that has left the school community thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Three men have since been charged in relation to the burglary, and are expected to front court in December.
On 6 August at around 2.30am, the school was broken into and a swathe of electronics and equipment was swiped.
In total, nine iPads, five laptops, three netbooks, a digital recorder, tools and $963 in cash, along with the keys to the school, were taken, with a total value of around $9600.
School Council President, David Calkin, said the 44-student school had taken a massive hit from the robbery.
He said the iPads in particular were of significant value, as the funds for them were raised completely by the school community over two years, through events and donations.
“We run on a shoestring,” he said.
“For a school with 44 students, it’s a lot of fund-raising.”
Four of the iPads were new and still in their boxes, having been delivered the Friday before.
Principal John McKelvie said that having the school keys stolen was adding insult to injury, and that every lock at the school had to be changed as a result.
He said the school had lodged an insurance claim with the Education Department, and that he was holding out the hope that most of what was taken could be covered.
“From what we understand, the cash in the safe isn’t covered.”
“We’re optimistic, but things stolen in the past haven’t necessarily been replaced – we’ll have to wait and see.”
Mr Calkin said the stolen cash included money for school camps, and that the school council was honouring that money and replacing it, potentially at the cost of other programs.
“Students are going to miss out on things,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Education Department said that the robbery was “extremely disappointing”.
“Not only have students lost educational equipment, it can be upsetting for the students,” they said.
The spokesperson said the department was assisting the school with their insurance claim, and that police were investigating the incident.
Police confirmed on Monday 18 August that three 22-year-old men were charged by police in relation to the burglary, along with a burglary at the Hoddles Creek Cricket Club and Launching Place Cricket Club.
The three men – two of whom are from Woori Yallock, one from Lilydale – will front Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 4 December to face the charges.
Anyone with information on the robbery, or with information on any of the stolen items can contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or by visiting www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
