Pacific Pines State School set to introduce weekend detention as new disciplinary measure

Weekend detentions at Gold Coast high school are set to be introduced as part of new disciplinary measures. HAVE YOUR SAY

A GOLD Coast state school is planning to introduce Saturday detentions as an alternative to certain suspensions.

It is hoped the new measures will also reduce the number of students having their enrolments cancelled.

Pacific Pines State School High principal Mark Peggrem said weekend detention was one of 15 disciplinary measures being considered as part of an overhaul of the school’s behaviour management policy. He’s hosting a forum and asking for feedback from parents and the community.

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Pacific Pines State High School principal Mark Peggrem says he’s trying to take a proactive approach to ensure students know there is a consequence to every behaviour.

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“What I’m trying to do at Pacific Pines is be more proactive and ensure that students know that there is a consequence to every behaviour. It’s about not turning a blind eye,” he said.

“Students who want to hurt other students with their hands or their words must receive a consequence for that. I will not back down if a child is trying to hurt another child.”

Under the proposal, students may get Saturday detentions in place of short and long suspensions, not regular detentions such as those given for uniform infringements. Violent students wouldn’t be eligible and would continue to receive external suspension or exclusion.

Pacific Pines State High School teacher and former radio personality Michael Walkley runs Radio Pac Pines with help from students, he’s pictured here with principal Mark Peggrem. Picture: Jerad Williams.

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If the community supports Saturday detentions, teaching staff and aids will supervise students who would be assigned meaningful work to align with their reason for attendance or take part in resilience or self-esteem programs.

 “This is so important because we’re seeing a spike in mental health issues across the state in young people and some of this is due to a lack of guidance or resilience in our kids. I’m determined to take a proactive approach as principal and strive to create a positive school culture and help kids develop lifelong values.

Two new classrooms were recently completed at Pacific Pines State High School.

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“Saturday detentions are not about locking kids in a room, throwing away the key and leaving them food and water. We want to offer students the opportunity, particularly in senior levels, a place to complete work or qualifications that they have failed to complete so they don’t face more serious consequences.”

Mr Peggrem, known for his hard-line stance, took over as principal five years ago. He’s previously worked at Upper Coomera State College and Mabel Park State High.

Pacific Pines State High School principal Mark Peggrem is known for his hard-line stance.

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“A big thing for me when I took over was to take a strong but fair hand to the school’s disciplinary approach to tighten things up, and what I’m hoping with these new changes is to further strengthen support systems for students,” he said.

Enrolments at the school, which has a “one strike you’re out policy” for major physical violence, have soared with Mr Peggrem at the helm. In 2014 there were 1200 students with enrolments expected to increase to 2100 next year.

Parents can have their say on August 6 from 6-7pm at the school’s administration office.