UPDATED 3:42PM James Cook High School says two or three students may face disciplinary action after a 16-year-old boy was hospitalised after a bullying incident this morning.

The school says he was foot tripped, then punched by other students while on the ground.

Earlier, a St John spokeswoman said two ambulances had attended the incident, and one male patient had been transported to Middlemore Hospital in a critical condition.

 

The victim is now in a stable condition and said to be responding to care.

 

The school's principal Grant McMillan says the school nurse travelled with the boy to hospital and has reported back that he's now chatting - which is a good thing.

McMillan says police have been asked to investigate due to the seriousness of the incident, and the school will be taking their own disciplinary action.