South East Qld’s worst behaved primary schools exposed

One South East Queensland school has recorded 420 short suspensions in a year for a student roll of 481, as the regions worst-behaved state schools have been revealed. SEARCH THE FULL LIST

Woodridge North State School was one of those that recorded high rates of disciplinary absences compared to enrolments. Photo Inga Williams / The Reporter

Ipswich, Logan and Moreton Bay schools have been revealed as South East Queensland’s worst behaved, with one tiny school handing out nearly as many suspensions as it had students last year.

A Courier-Mail analysis of state primary school annual reports has revealed the worst, and best, behaved schools from Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine coasts.

FULL LIST: BRISBANE’S WORST-BEHAVED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EXPOSED

Ipswich’s Bundamba State School dished out 420 short suspensions last year plus two long suspensions and two exclusions. The school had 481 enrolments last year.

There were 167 disciplinary absences handed out at Bundamba in 2019 and 392 in 2020.

Ipswich East State School, Goodna State School and Riverview State School students were also among the worst behaved – each with suspension rates at more than 30 per cent of their student bodies.

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Students at Ipswich East State School were among the worst behaved.

Logan schools like Daisy Hill, Eagleby South State School and Woodridge North State School all recorded high rates of disciplinary absences compared to enrolments.

Moreton Bay schools also featured among those with high suspension rates per enrolments including Morayfield State School, Dakabin State School, Tullawong State School and Deception Bay North State School.

Some of the best behaved schools included Coolum State School (12 short suspensions, 1005 students), Eagle Junction State School (six short suspensions, 935 students) and Mansfield State School (four short suspensions, 1153 enrolments).

Indooroopilly State School had 1375 total enrolments but recorded zero disciplinary absences, similarly was Ironside State School with zero absences per 1080 students.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said decisions to suspend students from school were not taken lightly by principals.

She said schools had a wide range of supports and programs to support student behaviour and ensure state schools could facilitate high standards of behaviour for the whole school community.

The spokeswoman said preliminary departmental statistics indicated the 2022 disciplinary rates were trended towards some of the lowest levels in recent years.

Deception Bay North State School had high suspension rates per enrolments. Picture: Jamie Hanson

“The department is working closely with other relevant agencies and is focused on creating

partnerships, providing early and expert assistance and reviewing decision-making

processes to further support schools in minimising the number of disciplinary absences,” the spokeswoman said.

“We are also working with principals, teachers and school staff on the supports and strategies required to maximise the days of learning for every student.”