MORE than 2000 students were suspended from Hunter and Central Coast public schools last year for actual harm.
Data released by the NSW Department of Education revealed more than 5000 students were suspended for causing unacceptable risk to the health and safety of teachers or classmates, while 2.2 per cent were sent home from school for physical violence.
Across the state, almost 60,000 suspensions were issued to students last year, either for unacceptable risk to the safety and health of others or for actual harm.
Of the suspensions given for unacceptable risk to health and safety, 29 per cent were for aggressive behaviour, 5 per cent for physical violence and 3 per cent were verbal abuse.
The Newcastle Herald requested the data to be broken down by local government area, however the Department refused, citing the data was only provided at a statewide level to "protect the privacy of students".
The data found one-in-12 high school students, and one-in-66 primary school students were suspended at least once.
In 2023 a new Student Behaviour Policy was implemented for the year, which restricted schools from sending students home unless they had inflicted actual harm.
It was overturned at the beginning of term one in 2024, with a new policy listing vaping and cyber bullying as grounds for suspension.
NSW Teachers Federation regional organiser Jack Galvin Waight said since the new suspension and behaviour policy was implemented, it restored balance.
"The profession expects a high standard of behaviour from every student and the department has a legislated responsibility to ensure our schools are safe," he said.
"Our students and teachers in the Hunter deserve a quality learning environment. We will continue to demand and make sure that the department's meets its WHS obligations so that our great public schools are safe for all."
A NSW Department of Education spokesperson said the updated policy made it easier for school leaders to suspend disruptive or violent students.
"Our schools have zero tolerance for violent or inappropriate behaviour," they said.
"The update to this behaviour policy came after extensive consultation with the Special Education Principals and Leaders Association, NSW Teachers Federation, the Primary Principals Association and the Secondary Principals Council."
"We continue to provide shoulder-to-shoulder support for teachers, schools and students who have a right to teach in safe and productive classrooms environments."
NSW Department of Education school performance deputy secretary Cathy Brennan told the Newcastle Herald in November last year, the policy would bring clarity to how schools can best support students when dealing with behavioural challenges.
The previous policy allowed for up to 20 days for an individual suspension, while the new policy outlines up to five days for Kindergarten to Year 2 and up to 10 days for Year 3 to 12.
In 2022 from term one to three, there were just over 50,000 suspensions across the state's public schools.
Almost 4500 students were given short suspensions in Newcastle and the Central Coast while around 1500 were given longer suspensions.
The department said it was important to note that various factors such as data collection issues and police changes meant the figures couldn't be compared to previous years.
- With AAP
