A schoolboy devastated at the thought of disappointing his parents has sparked a frantic hunt by police and his family.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Andrew Ong, 11, left a five-page note on the kitchen table before taking his myki and a backpack and fleeing from his parents' home in Carramar Avenue, Camberwell, about 8.35 on Monday morning.
Andrew had got into minor trouble at Hartwell Primary School, and felt ashamed about disappointing his parents, his mother, Cindy Ong, told a media conference.
"He's very upset with himself, and that's why he's taken off. We just want him to know it's OK, he's not in any trouble, just to come home," Mrs Ong said.
"He left a note lying on the table about why he's doing it, about how he feels sad about what has happened at school. He just wanted to have some time to think. And he'll come back Friday. I think he was just feeling a bit daunted about coming back to school, and that's why he's taken off."
Midway through the press conference at Camberwell police station police handed Mrs Ong a photo taken from a camera at Willison Station in Camberwell shortly after 8.30am.
"Oh my god. He brought his jacket. That's him," she said.
The picture shows Andrew on the city side at the station, confirming his parents' fear he may have used the myki to travel into the CBD. They, along with police, have spent the day searching the local area and the city. They have hunted through ACMI, where Andrew sometimes goes to play video games.
Andrew was wearing a brown T-shirt, grey shorts and khaki army jacket and carrying a black backpack. He is about 140 centimetres tall, and is described as quiet, shy and polite.
He took some pocket money and his myki but no food supplies, his parents said.
Mrs Ong said the school dispute was over canteen duty.
"Kids were being silly. They were giving treats to their friends. And the principal made them write a letter. So I think he feels really bad about what he's done. He probably feels that we're disappointed in him, and that's why he's taken off."
Anyone with information about Andrew is asked to contact Camberwell police station on 9882 6035
canberratimes.com.au