Schools need to be a positive influence, principal says
Schools need to be a positive influence, principal says
Schools reflect the community they are embedded in, so if there is an atmosphere of violence then that violence is normally reflected or present in the home.
Peter Ahern
It is up to schools to be that positive influence on curbing the behaviour of students, Hastings Central School principal Peter Ahern says. It comes after a report conducted by the New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa found primary school leaders experience physical violence at 10 times the rate of the general population.
Last year, it was reported 41 per cent of principals, deputies and their assistants experienced physical violence, and 38 per cent were subjected to threats. Both of which increased from about 28 per cent in 2016.
“Schools reflect the community they are embedded in, so if there is an atmosphere of violence then that violence is normally reflected or present in the home,” Ahern added.
“I think anybody put into a challenging situation reacts in different ways so we’ve just got to train our teachers and support staff so they handle situations correctly. A lot of violence can be avoided.”
Hawke’s Bay Primary Principals Association president and Irongate principal Maurice Rehu said from principals he knew that the number of students requiring extra support due to aggressive behaviours in school has risen over the past five years.
“It’s tough out there for families. I know of many principals completing restraint forms, referrals to MOE for extra learning support, Oranga Tamariki reports and RTLB referrals.”
He said social workers in schools are experiencing burnout.
“We don’t have enough experienced professionals to fill the level of support required. We know of families living in motels, living in overcrowded situations due to lack of housing. The housing crisis had put a lot of stress on families which may contribute to the levels of anxiety that we are seeing in kids.”
He said there is no simple solution. “It’s going to take time. I know there are people charged with the role of supporting school leaders, students and their wha¯nau.”
NZEI Te Riu Roa president Lynda Stuart said the findings raised serious safety and wellbeing issues.
“Along with their heavy workloads, school leaders are also having to cope with behaviours such as threats of violence, actual violence, bullying, conflicts, gossip and slander.
“Schools need to be safe places for everyone: creative and compassionate spaces where children can meet their potential, and teachers and leaders can do their jobs free of all types of harassment.
“There are two parallel issues going on here. One is children with learning difficulties trying to access the help and support that they and their families need, and the other is adults whose behaviour in a learning environment is sometimes unacceptable.
“We are not trying to apportion blame here, we are making recommendations on how to move forward, and this needs resources and funding to urgently address the problem.”
NZEI Te Riu Roa recommended resourcing and staffing be increased to support the growing number of students with challenging behaviours.
It also called for school boards to uphold safe environments in schools, a mediation service for families and schools, regular teacher training in responding to violent situations, increased mentoring and counselling, and more thorough investigations of violent incidents and bullying.