The boys, aged 12 and 17, were charged yesterday by police with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm of a school student following the bashing last Friday.

Police said there was no evidence to suggest the assault was part of a continuing feud between the boys, but may have been caused by a playground dispute.

It is alleged the victim was kicked by the boys as he lay on the ground.

The boy suffered head injuries as a result of the bashing, which occurred about 1.30pm at the Beach Road school. He was flown to Canberra Hospital and placed in an induced coma with swelling on the brain. He is in a critical but stable condition.

Detectives from Far South Coast Local Area Command are continuing investigations.

It was the second assault within a month at Batemans Bay High School. In August, a 16-year-old youth was arrested after entering school grounds and allegedly striking a 15-year-old student with a stick in the car park.

The two boys charged with last Friday's assault will face Batemans Bay Childrens Court on October 18.

with Pamela Frost, Bay Post