Number of South Australian public primary and high school students suspended, excluded revealed

The number of SA public school students being ejected from class has dropped for the first time in years despite massive spikes at some schools. See where yours ranks.

Some of the state’s largest public schools have slashed the number of students being suspended – but as many as one in nine students are still being sent home.

Numbers at some campuses have doubled but the total number of students suspended or excluded across the state has fallen for the first time since 2020.

It follows a policy change which required teachers to take account of a student’s age and development before making a decision to send them home.

Analysis by The Advertiser has revealed the South Australian public schools where the most students have been ejected for poor behaviour since 2012, including for physical violence, threats, verbal abuse and being disruptive.

The top seven schools are in Adelaide’s north and all have more than 1000 students.

However eight of the top 10 schools recorded reductions in the past year, of up to 34 per cent.

Among them was Craigmore High School which suspended 79 students this year, down from 120 in 2023.

Principal Sarah Jackson said the school had “made a range of improvements” including training for staff, relationship-building with parents and using data to inform decisions about suspensions.

“Schools are complicated environments, where one size does not fit all, so we continue to work with our students, families and professional leaders in order to provide the best learning environment for all our students,” she said.

Total numbers of students suspended or excluded across the state’s 800-odd public primary and secondary schools peaked at a record of more than 5500 last year, but fell by about 760 in the following 12 months.

At the same time, the public school system grew by more than 2100 children, to 179,521 enrolled students.

The school to eject the most students from campus this year was Whyalla Secondary College, which suspended or excluded 137 of its 1080 students.

Playford International College, which has more than 1300 students, ranked second (131).

Numbers at some schools doubled between 2023 and 2024, including Aldinga Payinthi College (36 to 71) and Blair Athol North B-6 School (12 to 24).

Others recorded major drops, including 71 per cent fewer students suspended or excluded at Parafield Gardens High School (78 to 22), 55 per cent fewer at Blackwood High School (72 to 32), and 50 per cent at Marryatville High School (58 to 29).

The Education Department has released the data under Freedom of Information laws.

It provides a snapshot of how many students were suspended or excluded in the 10 weeks of Term 2 of each year. The department does not provide full year figures.

It also does not account for students who may have been suspended for excluded more than once.

Private schools do not make their data public.

Greens MLC Rob Simms had attempted to pass laws which would have forced independent and Catholic schools to publish how many students they suspend, but it was knocked back in state parliament last week.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said the latest data showed changes including banning mobile phones in schools and investing $70m in programs targeting disengaged students, bullying and wellbeing were “resulting in improved behaviour”.

“We inherited a situation where incidents, suspensions and exclusions were increasing every year,” Mr Boyer said.

“I am pleased to see the first reduction … in four years. We need to drive these numbers down further to deliver better student academic results and less students leaving school early.”

A report commissioned by the previous Liberal government had found suspensions and exclusions were being overused with boys, students with disability or who were living in state care and Aboriginal children.

In response to the report the Education Department reviewed its suspension and exclusion policy.

It now requires school staff to take greater account of a student’s age and development, provide clearer explanations for the reasons they have been sent home and to stay in contact to ensure students remain engaged in their school work off-campus.

Education Minister Blair Boyer. Picture: Ben Clark

Opposition spokesman John Gardner. Picture: Supplied

Opposition education spokesman, and former education minister, John Gardner said his government had funded 55 mental health workers in schools before the 2022 election.

“It would be a massive error if the current government were to claim mission accomplished on this issue because many teachers and families will tell you that significant complexity still exists in many classrooms,” he said.

The total number of students sent home for poor behaviour hovered between about 3600 and 3800 each year in the decade to 2021, including during the Covid-19 affected years of 2020 and 2021.

However it spiked to 4967 students in 2022 and rose further to a record 5587 in 2023.

This year the trend has reversed, dropping to 4824.

There were at least 100 schools that did not suspend or exclude any students this year.

Data spanning 2012 to 2024 shows teachers at Paralowie School, a reception to Year 12 campus, sent the most students home over the past 12 years (1193).

Mark Oliphant College, a Birth to Year 12 school in Munno Para West, ranked second (1178).

John Pirie Secondary School was the regional school to eject the most students (767) followed closely by Murray Bridge High School (763), and Willunga High School (662).

How one school is turning the tide

Enrolling at Christie Downs Primary School was “life-changing” for 10-year-old Theo and his family.

Mum Alicia with son Theo, 10, at Christie Downs Primary School. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Before arriving at the southern suburbs public school in late 2022, Theo had been repeatedly suspended from his previous non-government school.

Eventually his mum Alicia, 36, pulled him out to try homeschooling for six months before learning about a different approach at Christie Downs.

“The first thing I noticed was that there was absolutely no blame or shame attached to his behaviours,” she said.

“They said ‘It’s ok, we’ve seen this before. It’s not his fault. We’re going to work around it’.

“He didn’t feel like he was excluded. The ripple effect has been astronomical for our family … life-changing for everybody.”

Theo is diagnosed with autism and experiences anxiety and bursts of anger.

Alicia, who did not want her surname published, said doctors also suspected Theo had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Christie Downs Primary School principal Gail Evans said staff take a trauma-informed approach to behaviour among the 200-strong student population and try to focus on “recognising and rewarding positive behaviours”.

Teachers give positive, specific feedback and tangible incentives tailored to each student.

The school also has dedicated sensory spaces and inclusive play areas.

This approach has led to a significant decline in suspensions, from 68 in 2020 to 36 last year.

“By focusing on children’s strengths, we’ve been able to create a culture of respect, compassion, empathy, and understanding,” Ms Evans said.

“As we continue to refine our approach, we hope to serve as a model for other schools.”