Page 791 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 6 April 2022
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In term 2, school principals in ACT schools will also be able to consider additional measures, including revising the time line for teacher and school leader annual development plans and discussions, giving schools the option to opt out of school reviews this year, continuing the relief pool access, as well as rolling over enterprise agreement implementation plans. Principals will have the autonomy to choose which of these strategies, or all of them, best suit their school’s needs and will most address the workforce pressures.
Members will know that the Education Directorate has been working very closely with Calwell High School for many months now. Yesterday the AEU president confirmed that things had improved at the school. However, on 24 March 2022 there was a serious incident at Calwell Hight School where a student and three staff members were allegedly assaulted, resulting in physical injuries. ACT Policing were called and attended the school. Staff received medical treatment as a result of these injuries. All impacted students and staff are being supported by the school and the education office.
I was as devastated and upset as anyone else was, on reading the WorkSafe report. This should not be happening anywhere in our community and should not be happening in our schools. The school’s principal is currently on leave, with an experienced school principal replacing her for the remainder of the term. A student at the school has been suspended for 15 days as a result of the incident.
I understand that the Australian Education Union asked that WorkSafe ACT attend the school following this incident. I had also asked the Education Directorate to report the incident to WorkSafe but, due to the union’s close engagement with the workforce, their report was received first. Either way, WorkSafe was informed and we welcome their engagement in helping us to address this matter. The WorkSafe visit took place on 31 March. Following the visit, the directorate received notices from WorkSafe ACT regarding a number of matters at the school.
The directorate will meet its obligations under these notices and is committed to working with WorkSafe ACT to implement necessary actions to ensure that their concerns are satisfied. As part of our compliance with our WorkSafe obligations, years 7 and 8 students at Calwell High School have transitioned to remote learning for the final week of term 1. Wellbeing supports are being provided to staff and students during this time.
As I said, and will say again, I want it to be very clear that these kinds of violent incidents are very rare in our public schools, but when they do occur we treat them very seriously and we have done so in this instance. Directorate executives are in place at the school, supporting the school staff and leadership team. Counsellors are on site at the school to provide wellbeing support to those staff who wish to access the service. Additional school psychologist supports are available via telehealth for years 7 and 8 students learning remotely.
The school support plan is being updated, ready for implementation in term 2. Key themes will focus on risk management approaches, teaching quality, health and
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