STUDENTS damaging school property, throwing rocks through a window and a plank of wood at a gate, bringing a knife to school for “protection” and threatening physical harm against other students - these were the reported incidents in Orange’s public schools in term one this year.
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The examples were among a record number of reportable incidents in western NSW schools in the first term of 2014.
The latest report from the Department of Education and Communities showed the region recorded its highest number of incidents for a single term in a decade.
The western region recorded 57 incidents, which was at least double that of nearly every other term since 2005.
Of the 57 incidents reported (up from 36 the previous term), 20 involved assaults, nine involved threats, eight involved weapons, three involved drugs and 17 related to other matters.
Of the aforementioned incidents in Orange, police were called to schools three times. On one occasion, a police officer was assaulted as one of the young offenders was arrested.
Despite the number of reports, a department spokesperson said “public schools continue to be one of the safest places for children and young people in any community”.
In term one, 86 per cent of NSW schools reported no incidents and 9 per cent of schools reported only one incident.
“Violence or aggressive behaviour of any kind is not acceptable at public schools,” the spokesperson said.
“Schools respond strongly and principals will implement discipline according to the school’s code of behaviour that is established in consultation with the school community.”
The spokesperson said “better reporting could impact the number of incidents and an increase in reporting was welcomed by the department”.
“Also incidents can fluctuate from term to term and because only a limited number of incidents are reported in any area. Differences between terms or across areas may seem significant change but represent only a small change in absolute numbers.”
Information about reported incidents for private or Catholic schools is not publicly available.
nicole.kuter@fairfaxmedia.com.au
