Violent prep students stun schools in Victoria

MORE than 160 unruly and sometimes violent prep and grade one students have been suspended from Victoria’s state primary schools this year.

The latest suspensions happened just days ago after four preps attacked a 10-year-old boy during the lunch break at Heidelberg Primary School.

The grade four pupil, who briefly blacked out and suffered concussion, was taken to hospital and returned to school the next day.

The culprits were among more than 16,390 public primary and secondary students across Victoria to be suspended this year, according to documents released to the Herald Sun under Freedom of Information laws. A further 243 students were expelled - more than half of them at year 8-9 levels.

Most were kicked out for multiple offences, the most common was being a danger to others.

The expulsion figures reveal 136 incidents of disorderly conduct, 115 cases of failing to comply, 92 incidents of violence and destruction, and 24 cases of drug use or possession.

One year six boy was expelled for a string of transgressions including drug abuse and violence.

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About 80 per cent of all suspended and expelled students were boys.

Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said violent behaviour was totally unacceptable in schools.

“It is a matter for concern that we do have bullying and aggressive behaviour in our schools and in our community more broadly,” she said. “Schools have to be safe, they have to be there for the benefit of all students who are there.”

Of suspended students, about 7500 - almost half - were in years 8 and 9.

Almost 3000 suspended students were in year 10, 2500 in year 7 and 1350 in year 11.

More than 130 grade one students and 33 prep pupils were suspended.

Victorian Association of State Secondary School Principals Brian Burgess said the number of expulsions was a tiny fraction of the 538,000 students in the government school system.

“(The power to expel) is used judiciously, and sometimes it’s required,” he said.

“In my experience, the vast majority of students in Victoria are well-behaved, polite and good people,” he said.

But Mr Burgess said there were worrying trends in society that could be reflected in schools.

“There are some issues around behaviour seemingly condoned by the community, for example people generally seem to be carrying weapons like knives around.”

Last week, Premier John Brumby unveiled a plan to restore respect in schools and the community.

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