School leaders have the power to suspend pupils for long periods as part of the restructuring of school discipline in New South Wales
“This means we can take immediate action to ensure our classrooms are safe, which is crucial when violent behavior poses an imminent threat,” said Craig Petersen, President of the NSW Secondary Principals Council.
Petersen said the previous policy did not list any specific conduct that would constitute grounds for a suspension. “We welcome updates that specifically address behaviors that are not tolerated in our public schools, including gun ownership, malicious damage to property, use and supply of illegal substances, and threatening or dangerous behavior,” he said.
New South Wales Education Secretary Prue Car said a review of the previous disciplinary policy found it undermined teachers’ ability to protect the safety of staff and students.Credit: AAP
A new exclusion process, which requires schools to give the student and their parents seven days’ notice of a decision, remains in place. Formal warnings valid for 50 days are an option for principals, but are not required before a ban is issued.
The previous government’s policy, which was welcomed by parent groups, was introduced amid concerns that students – particularly those with learning disabilities or from families with a weak socio-economic background – are being suspended and not receiving the support they need.
Is loading
Half of all sanctions in the first half of 2022 affected students with a disability, around 7.7 percent were suspended with a disability. Indigenous students were also disproportionately suspended, with nearly 9 percent of Indigenous students being sent home from school.
NSW’s Department of Education said the new policy “reaffirms a commitment to helping all pupils, including those with complex learning and support needs, to reach their full potential”.
It includes a “scale of measures” that schools can use to deal with problematic behavior – including suspension and expulsion as critical safeguards when needed.
“While the new procedures relate specifically to suspensions and expulsions, there is an urgent need for the Government and Department of Education to provide the additional specialist staff and resources needed to support schools in supporting students with complex needs.
Acting President of the NSW Teachers Federation Henry Rajendra said the previous policy failed to recognize the professional judgment of school leaders and teachers. “While the new procedures include suspensions and expulsions, there is an urgent need for the government to provide additional specialist staff and resources to support schools in supporting students with complex needs,” he said.
The new policy, which has received broad support from the NSW Teachers’ Union, the Special Education Principals’ and Leaders’ Association and the Primary and Secondary Principals Councils, is open for consultation. It is scheduled to be released for public school teacher training in the fourth trimester and come into effect in the first trimester of 2024.
Our breaking news alert will notify you about important breaking news when they happen. Get it here.
