Concerning rise in violence revealed in ACU survey of 2100 principals and school leaders

Burnt-out NSW principals are at “breaking point”, with more than half threatening to quit as violence, threats and bullying continue to plague the schoolyard, a new report has revealed.

NSW principals say they are at “breaking point”, with more than half threatening to quit, a new report shows.

NSW principals are at “breaking point”, with more than half threatening to quit as violence, threats and bullying continue to plague the schoolyard, a new report shows.

Alarmingly, almost half of school leaders across the state sent “red flag” emails, with more than one in 10 at risk of self-harm, Australian Catholic University’s 2024 Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey found.

Principals in NSW experienced the highest rates of bullying compared to other states, with 40 per cent reporting serious incidents by colleagues, leaders, parents and students.

Almost half of school leaders in NSW experienced threats of violence, while just under two thirds said they had experienced conflicts.

More than 50 per cent of principals across the state also said they had an intention to quit.

Almost half of school leaders in NSW also experienced threats of violence, the report shows.

Overall, there were only slight improvements compared to last year’s survey results showing a decrease in threats of violence by 5 per cent and other areas.

The report, which surveyed about 2100 principals across the country, revealed physical violence in all states increased by 82 per cent since the survey started in 2011.

Despite the spike in violence and other concerns highlighted in the report, school leaders still reported high levels of job satisfaction and commitment to their jobs.

A principal, from Sydney’s lower north shore, told The Daily Telegraph school leaders had continuously felt “enormous pressure” on the job, including dealing with threats, violence and other serious incidents.

“Principals and teachers are really at breaking point,” he said.

“Whether it’s dealing with schoolyard violence or parents shouting at school staff in person or on the phone, it really takes a toll.

“The ongoing teacher shortages and coping with the demands of increased workloads is also causing stress and burnout for school leaders.”

Another principal said the job was “incredibly hard”.

“The system (statewide) is broken. We are failing our kids,” she said in the report.

“The increase of mental health with staff is the worst I have ever seen in 25 years.”

World-leading educational psychologist and co-chief investigator Professor Herb Marsh, who has been involved with the report since 2015, said Australia risked losing an entire generation of school leaders without urgent reforms.

“Workload, violence, and mental health challenges continue to escalate,” Professor Marsh said.

ACU Institute for Positive Psychology and Education co-chief investigator Theresa Dicke said the survey showed school leaders were experiencing “severe rates” of mental health issues.

“Both anxiety and depression have worsened but there has been a reduction in participants reporting severe depression,” she said.

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said there is a “zero tolerance” approach to violence against principals. “Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard

ACU educational leadership expert and former school principal Associate Professor Paul Kidson said the survey showed “unsustainable workloads” and conditions that would not be tolerated in other workplaces.

“The stresses that principals and even teachers are experiencing is going to have an adverse impact and it’s a really significant concern,” he said.

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said: “We care deeply for our principals and have a zero-tolerance approach to violence and disrespect in their workplace.”

“I’m really proud of the strides we have made to address the concerns raised in this report since the survey was undertaken,” Mr Dizdar said.

“From reducing the admin burden on teachers and principals, focusing on supporting their wellbeing and offering flexibility for all staff, including principals, through arrangements like job-sharing.”

The report comes less than a week after violence broke out at the notorious Armidale Secondary College, resulting in four school staff being injured including two who were taken to hospital for treatment.

Two female students, aged 11 and 13, were arrested but later released without charges pending further investigations, while a 34-year-old woman was charged with hindering and intimidating a police officer.