'Cowardly' attack as adult punches primary student in the throat

A 12-year-old boy has been punched to the throat in a random attack outside his East Geelong primary school.

The student crossed paths with his attacker outside Tate Street Primary shortly after his dad, Brendon Toohey, dropped him off.

"It makes me sick to think I'm driving off and my son's being assaulted," Mr Toohey said.

Mr Toohey dropped off son Darren at the front gate this morning. Seconds later the 12-year-old crossed paths with a stranger.

"They told me he's been assaulted, punched in the throat by an adult that was actually in the schoolgrounds. So it's appalling," Mr Toohey said.

He suffered bruising, swelling, and a bump to the head as he hit the ground. Darren reported the attack to his teacher.

Police say the year 6 student was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"It is very bizarre particularly because there was no exchange beforehand. The boy didn't realise the male was there until he'd actually been punched," police said.

The school told parents staff were ''shocked by the appalling attack on a defenceless child", but were relieved the student wasn't badly injured.

Regardless, fellow parents are concerned.

"It's just ridiculous, kids shouldn't be hit by adults at all, it's just cowardly," one said.

"I think kids should be able to walk to school safely, especially by grade 6."

Mr Toohey warned other parents.

"Just be careful when you drop your kids off, don't just drop them off and leave," he said