Page 4747 - Week 13 - Thursday, 28 November 2019
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number of serious bullying issues last year and early this year. As a consequence, there has been a Legislative Assembly inquiry and a ministerial advisory committee report. The school in question has had a new executive installed, additional counsellors employed, PBL introduced and a raised awareness among the teaching staff. Last week you and I were both contacted by a concerned parent at that school about continuing issues of violence and bullying. Since then the parent has told me about a disturbing incident of a parent chasing three students across the playground after they reported that parent’s son for bullying. Minister, why was a parent allowed to chase three students across the playground during school hours?
MS BERRY: I thank Ms Lee for her question. When issues around bullying and violence are raised and occur in our schools, and more broadly within our community, my practice in this place when talking about issues of this nature is to engage with members opposite in a more detailed way outside the Assembly, which I am happy to do with Ms Lee regarding this particular situation.
As with any culture change, these matters are often complicated and complex. A significant culture change, as with the one we are asking for within our community, and within our schools, which are generally safe places, will take some time. The process of implementing positive behaviours for learning is continuing, and there have been some very positive results from our school communities, which do an excellent job in providing supports and making sure that our schools remain safe and inclusive environments.
MS LEE: Minister, what is the policy relating to parents on school grounds, and was that policy breached in this instance?
MS BERRY: As I said in my first answer, I am not aware of the detail that Ms Lee is referring to in this situation. I am happy to get some advice and I will talk with her in her office about it outside of the Assembly.
MR PARTON: Minister, how did the parent know that these three students had reported his son?
MS BERRY: I have to say, Madam Speaker, that I am concerned. This sounds like a particularly serious issue, and I would have hoped that the opposition would have raised it with my office rather than waiting to raise it here in question time.
I am happy, as I said, to discuss the detail of this particular circumstance with Ms Lee—and Mr Parton if he is interested in reaching an outcome and an understanding of what has occurred in these circumstances—but I must say that it could have been raised with my office rather than raising it here in question time. I would, if I had had the opportunity, gone and spoken with Ms Lee or Mr Parton if they had raised it with my office, which is my practice.
Alexander Maconochie Centre—security
MRS JONES: My question is to the Minister for Corrections and Justice Health. I refer to the recent emergency declaration at the AMC following the discovery of a
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