Police & Town Council Looking into International Students Who Continued to Create Trouble at HDB Void Deck

All it takes is a few black sheep to taint the entire flock.

Lately, the students from International French School (IFS) have been drawing the ire of residents at Serangoon North for multiple reasons.

Pardon Your French

It first started on May 13, where Facebook user Henry Ng caught a glimpse of some French students brawling downstairs from his vantage point by the window.

Image: facebook.com (Henry Ng)

In the same post, the Serangoon resident complained that this was not the first disturbance that the French students had created for the nearby residents.

They would often fight, litter, smoke, vape, climb the staircases to the top, flip over railings, and vandalise the floors and walls.

Some even went as far as laying on the ground and making out in public.

Ew, let’s hope no tongue or frothing was involved, or we might need brain bleach.

Although some residents have previously lodged complaints to the IFS, nothing has been done to rectify the misdemeanours committed by the French students.

The disturbances have continued, and it’s likely that it has been happening before the first Facebook post was made.

Hence, it has led some people to suspect that the teachers were too afraid to confront the students, or they simply didn’t care, as they started claiming that it was the fault of the American school students instead.

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Then on 13 June, Henry Ng published another Facebook post again, this time to complain about another fight that had broken out at void deck under Block 157, as well as capturing photographs of the burnt paper left behind in the corner of the void deck.

Image: facebook.com (Henry Ng)

This time, there’s no mistaking that it’s the work of the French students, as French words can be clearly perceived on one of the unburnt and tattered remains of the paper.

Worse, the burning had left irremovable brown stains on the paint of the wall.

Unfortunately for the town council cleaners, cleaning up after the ashes of their irresponsibility and vandalism has become an everyday chore.

Image: facebook.com (Henry Ng)

Henry Ng is understandably concerned as there are times where he brings his young daughter down to the void deck to play.

However, with these negative influences loitering around, carelessly vandalising walls with images of the male anatomy and burning papers, he fears that it will have a bad impact on his child.

In view of these incidents, he hopes the culprits will get caught and punishments will be doled out to deter such errant behaviour.

Police and Town Council are Investigating

Given the frequency of the complaints, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) have started taking these acts of truancy seriously.

In response to a Stomp enquiry, the police confirmed that they were alerted to a possible fight at 3:12pm on Monday (13 June).

There were no reported injuries, but the police spokesperson said they were investigating further.

Likewise, the AHTC mentioned that they were aware of the vandalism and burning incidents after receiving feedback from their residents.

According to the statement issued by an AHTC spokesperson, they have arranged for representatives to meet with the International French School and SPF to address the residents’ concerns.

Under the pressure coming from both sides, it appears the IFS could no longer keep their heads buried in the sand like ostriches, as it prompted their communications and events director, Sebastien Barnard, to step out as well.

He acknowledges that the school management is aware of the allegations, and the principal has started an investigation with the relevant student services to “verify and clarify the facts” before taking the necessary disciplinary measures.

As for the videographic evidence of “fights” that the Facebook user captured on May 13 and May 18, it’s unclear if the French students were just boxing enthusiasts and practising and sparring at the void deck.

It’s not prohibited, but it’s definitely odd.

Shouldn’t the International French School have the proper facilities where the students can train in a safer and monitored environment, if they really provide such an extracurricular activity though…?

Nonetheless, the IFS reiterates that they treat such matters with the gravitas it deserves, and they will be looking into it.

As to whether there will be any disciplinary actions, or new rules implemented to curb such conduct, only time will tell. 

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Featured Images: Facebook (Henry Ng)