Opposition calls for specialised centres to deal with record school suspensions

Every school district in Sydney has recorded increased suspensions this year and specialised facilities for the troubled teens have no space to take them.

It’s the Sydney high school where suspension is seen as a chance to hang out at the shops and have a holiday, ­rather than a punishment.

At James Busby High, at least six students each week are on suspension for unacceptable behaviour. Despite the COVID-19 lockdown, the school has recorded an astonishing 185 suspensions already and is on track to break last year’s 202 suspensions.

James Busby High School students wait for transport after school. Picture: Tim Hunter

And, with every area in the city recording an increase in suspensions over the past year, the state Opposition is supporting a call for extra specialised centres to deal with violent, troubled teenagers.

Suspension centres take troubled teens out of the school environment, while giving them discipline and school work. There are a total of 132 places in these suspension centres that need to cater for 3136 NSW public schools.

In the Greater Sydney region, there are 42 places with a need to cater for 1488 public schools.

Busby High School has not been able to access a single placement for its 185 suspensions in 27 weeks because suspension centres are always full.

“That is a great disproportion of resources available to support the proven violence issue teachers are facing. That’s probably how many ­places James Busby High School needs on its own,” one of the teachers said.

James Busby High School students attack a year 9 girl …

… who was repeatedly punched and kicked.

These high school students “do not have the capacity to study independently while on home suspension” and many don’t have access to the internet or computers due to financial issues, so suspension is not a punishment but free time to run amok,” one teacher, who asked not to be identified, told The Saturday Telegraph.

“The system doesn’t work, students aren’t realising the error of their ways and that ­aggressive and disruptive ­behaviour is not acceptable,” another teacher said.

“They are getting to wander the streets if they misbehave. Then we wonder why they don’t come back to school after the suspension and obey the rules and actively engage in learning,” another said. “No wonder there is an issue with disengagement, leading to this anti-social behaviour.”

Opposition education spokeswoman Prue Car has thrown her support behind the teachers at James Busby and urged Education Minister Sarah Mitchell to visit that school.

James Busby made headlines on October 30 when The Saturday Telegraph revealed shocking video footage of a 14-year-old girl being beaten by a large group of students.

Ms Car said “something is seriously wrong when teachers live in fear of being sacked just for raising safety issues at their own schools”.

“Surely the Education Minister’s first responsibility should be ensuring students and teachers are safe?” she said. “Instead of trying to sweep genuine concerns under the rug, the Education Minister should visit the school and hear from parents, teachers and students directly.”

The Education Minister was contacted for comment.