Writing lines on a weekend
A GOLD Coast state school is planning to introduce Saturday detentions as an alternative to certain suspensions.
It is hoped the new measures will also reduce the number of students having their enrolments cancelled.
Pacific Pines State High School principal Mark Peggrem said weekend detention was one of 15 disciplinary measures being considered as part of an overhaul of the school’s behaviour management policy. He will host a forum next week and is asking for feedback from parents and the community.
“What I’m trying to do at Pacific Pines is be more proactive and ensure that students know that there is a consequence to every behaviour. It’s about not turning a blind eye,” he said.
Under the proposal, students might get Saturday detentions in place of short and long suspensions, not instead of the regular detentions given for such things as uniform infringements. Violent students would not be eligible and would continue to receive external suspension or exclusion.
If the community supports Saturday detentions, teaching staff and aides would supervise students who would be assigned meaningful work to align with their reason for attendance or take part in resilience or self-esteem programs.
“This is so important because we’re seeing a spike in mental health issues across the state in young people and some of this is due to a lack of guidance or resilience in our kids,” he said.
“Saturday detentions are not about locking kids in a room, throwing away the key and leaving them food and water. We want to offer students the opportunity, particularly in senior levels, a place to complete work or qualifications that they have failed to complete so they don’t face more serious consequences.”
Mr Peggrem took over as principal five years ago.
“A big thing for me when I took over was to take a strong but fair hand to the school’s disciplinary approach to tighten things up, and what I’m hoping with these new changes is to further strengthen support systems,” he said.
Enrolments at the school, which has a “one strike you’re out policy” for major physical violence, have soared with Mr Peggrem at the helm. In 2014 there were 1200 students. Enrolments are expected to increase to 2100 next year.
Parents can have their say on Thursday from 6-7pm at the school administration office.