STUDENTS GO ON THE RAMPAGE
Guns, knuckle dusters, knives in classroom assaults More than 25,000 suspensions in just five years
CHILDREN assaulting and threatening other kids and teachers with a gun, knuckle dusters, glass, knives, scissors and other weapons contributed to more than 25,000 suspensions and expulsions across Gold Coast state schools in the past five years.
A Bulletin analysis of Education Department data shows there were 87 incidents involving physical misconduct with a range of weapons at state schools in the southeast education region in 2016-17. Five of the region’s larger schools had the most disciplinary absences. Upper Coomera State College recorded 2239 suspensions and expulsions across 2013–2017. Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School had 1652, Southport State High School 1568, Pacific Pines State High School 1515 and Helensvale State High School 1448.
The Bulletin sought comment from local principals but they did not respond.
CHILDREN assaulting and threatening other kids and teachers with a gun, knuckle dusters, glass, knives, scissors and other weapons contributed to more than 25,000 suspensions and expulsions across Gold Coast state schools in the past five years.
A Bulletin analysis of Education Department data shows students were more likely to receive short suspensions, with 61 Coast schools issuing 22,749 of these.
There were 1416 long suspensions and 881 exclusions over the five years.
The special investigation shows there were 87 incidents involving physical misconduct with a range of weapons at state schools in the southeast education region in 2016-17.
Five of the region’s larger schools had the most disciplinary absences.
Upper Coomera State College recorded 2239 suspensions and expulsions across 2013–2017.
Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School had 1652, Southport State High School 1568, Pacific Pines State High School 1515 and Helensvale State High School 1448.
The Bulletin sought comment from local principals but they did not respond.
Queensland Teachers Union Gold Coast representative Jodie Walsh said suspensions and expulsions were a last resort.
“Persistent misbehaviour can disrupt the class for other students and so students who choose not to behave responsibly must learn that there are consequences... ” she said.
Education Minister Grace Grace urged carers to be good role models and for students to consider their actions.
“There is no place for poor behaviour, bullying or violence in our schools,” she said.
Queensland Secondary Principals Association president Mark Breckenridge said “disciplinary absences’’ helped maintain safety at schools.
“They are not the first point of action, they are a stage approach to maintaining discipline and sometimes a disciplinary action has to be applied,” he said.
A Department of Education spokesman said each school had a written plan that spelled out how schools managed unruly kids.
“The Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students ... outlines that there are certain types of behaviour serious enough to warrant a significant consequence such as exclusion,” the spokesman said.
“For example, a student who uses a weapon at school could expect to be proposed for exclusion.”
At the other end of the suspension spectrum, it was possible a student might be removed for just a matter of hours and told to return the next day provided they abided by the rules.
Earlier this week it was revealed in a separate report based on WorkCover data that physical attacks by students on teachers in Queensland schoolyards were increasing.
The report said nearly 400 workers compensation claims relating to assaults or exposure to violence in state and private schools were lodged between July 1, 2017, and June 15 this year.
Teacher unions warned of incidents involving chairs being thrown at teachers and stalking.
Re-homeless, One wow and Steve. You will be happy to know that the homeless person I took in got with the program, got a cleaning job, is now engaged and sharing a flat with her fiance. Cheers johnbrew
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