The most recent national survey into principal health and wellbeing – which collected data from about 50% of Australia’s 10,000 principals – found almost half (45%) were threatened with violence in 2018, compared with 38% in 2011.
According to the damning report, adult-adult bullying is also on the rise, from 34% in 2017 to 35% in 2018 (around four times higher than the general population). Parents were involved in about 5% of violent incidents against staff in schools.
The Australian Council Of State School Organisations (ACSSO) said the way the issue has been portrayed in the media has done nothing to help the situation.
“Recent media reports have exacerbated tension between two of the most significant parties in a young person’s school life – parents and teachers,” ACSSO president, Kevan Goodworth, said in a statement.
Goodworth said 50 years of research shows that student outcomes improve and relationships between home and school are far more positive when schools invest in authentic family engagement.
“This is why we believe it is time to invest in measures that would positively impact the relationships between teachers and parents, and we expect the next Education Minister to take steps to do this,” Goodworth said.
“We realise this isn’t going to happen overnight, but we must work towards a future where school communities form strong partnerships with families and work together for the benefit of young people.”
Goodworth said schools and parents need to be able to share each other’s knowledge of the strengths and challenges of each child.
“Schools and parents need to talk openly and clearly about children, so they can respond effectively to any issues long before they become a concern,” Goodworth said.
“We believe this would build trust, reduce frustration, and ultimately minimise unacceptable behaviour. Violence is not just a school issue. It is a community issue. We need to deal with it through a community approach.”
Goodworth said ACSSO’s parent organisations would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with principal and teacher organisations, as well as education departments and other education authorities to improve family engagement.