Page 4268 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 23 October 2019
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Today’s presentation of papers is more about an issue of serious concern that has been the topic of much debate and community distress over this year in particular—that is, violence and bullying in our schools. It is more about that than any procedural questions of who brought what motion and when they were going to be tabled. It is far more important that we focus on the substance of the topic.
I believe all members of the Assembly have been trying in their own way to respond to both individual and community concerns as they see best. This advocacy overall has led to the constructive, forward-facing reports we have seen tabled today. The reports and the responses illustrate that, while there are issues in our schools that need increased support and attention to improve the safety of students and teachers, the majority of school environments are safe and supportive.
Having said that, ongoing feedback, both formal and informal, over some time highlights the importance of school communities working together and the need for more genuine communication between individual schools, the directorate, students and parents. That has become very clear to me from the feedback we have received and from the recommendations made in the reports. Some areas where parents have had concerns have been the result of inadequate or poor or misunderstood communications. You can put a range of labels on it, but it speaks to a communication issue, and that is well drawn out in the reports, particularly that from the advisory committee.
I also note the issues of subclinical supports being offered in the form of youth workers, support workers and the like. It is well known that the Greens support increased numbers of psychologists in our schools, and as the Minister for Mental Health I am very conscious of these issues. But we also understand that not all young people feel comfortable seeking and attending fixed appointments or walking through the door of a counsellor or a psychologist or whatever the label put on it. I have had that conversation with students where they have said—rightly or wrongly, and I think wrongly—there is stigma around going through those doors. It casts questions and invites certain discussions that some students do not feel comfortable with.
For some students a brief conversation with a trusted adult can be just as effective in seeking help as a referral to a psychologist or a counsellor or an external source of advice. Reflecting on the role that some of those other subclinical roles can play, such as support workers and youth workers, is important in this discussion as well. There are a range of possible responses and different students will react more positively to different types of support.
I do not intend to go through all of the recommendations in the responses today. I am sure the government’s position will be discussed in the Assembly again. Certainly I will continue to reflect on those documents. Despite the at times testing year we have had debating some of these issues, ultimately we have some really valuable advice and perspectives. This is acknowledged in the government’s response from Minister Berry that these matters will be followed up. That will ultimately be a positive for our school environments in the ACT.
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