Quote Originally Posted by Illawarra Mercury Website
Needle scare at Dapto Primary
BY KATELIN MCINERNEY
5/07/2008 4:00:00 AM
Eleven students from a Dapto primary school have been tested for HIV/AIDS after a teacher pricked them with a used diabetic testing needle.

The St John's Parish Primary School teacher at the centre of the health scare was suspended for several days, but resumed work at the school earlier this week.

One irate parent who contacted the Mercury called for a major investigation.

"I was horrified and shocked when a parent told me what happened," said the mother, who did not want to be identified.

"I was worried my child (aged six) may have been condemned to a life of HIV/AIDS so I took (the child) to our family doctor."

The mother said the school had not clearly explained why the incident had occurred.

"This should never have happened ... the teacher involved is very experienced. I just don't know what made her do such a silly and dangerous thing. Catholic education authorities must ensure this type of incident never happens again."

A spokesperson for South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health confirmed blood tests for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis A, B and C were carried out on 11 children aged between six and seven at the school and had revealed no infections.

Yesterday, the Catholic Education Office (CEO) confirmed the incident occurred on June 25, describing it as an "error in judgment" on behalf of the teacher. It said no further action would be taken against the teacher.

It is understood the teacher carried out a routine blood monitoring check on a diabetic student, then used the same needle to prick the fingers of 11 other students.

The Mercury has been told the teacher did not want the diabetic student to feel different from the rest of the class, and so pricked the fingers of 11 others, several of whom were reluctant to take part and cried.

CEO Director of Schools Peter Turner said the incident had been "thoroughly investigated" and the actions were "completely outside the teacher's normal character".

"The welfare and safety of our students is of the highest priority," he said.
As seen at Needle scare at Dapto Primary - Local News - News - General - Illawarra Mercury

I originally heard about this through talking to a mate who read about it in one of the papers, but regardless...
It's the primary school I went to when I was little, and I don't recall anything like this happening (apart from the occasional psycho nurse come immunisation days).

I get the feeling the teacher did what he did trying to help the diabetic kid out, but it was still a very stupid thing to do with law and school policy as it is here. And if as the article stated, kids were reluctant, the event most likely traumatised them...

What are your thoughts on this article?