True extent of schoolyard violence in Victoria revealed

Despite claims incidents of violence in Victorian schools are “incredibly rare” it can be revealed kids as young as eight are engaging in aggressive behaviour.

Police were called to more than 200 of the 2016 serious incidents reported at schools in 2019-20, the data reveals.

Children as young as eight have brazenly wielded knives and other weapons at Victorian schools.

Data exclusively obtained by the Herald Sun under Freedom of Information laws ­reveals on average at least 22 reports weekly of violent and aggressive behaviour against students and staff.

Police were called to more than 200 of the 2016 serious incidents reported at schools in 2019-20, the data reveals. There were 426 reports of ­assault or aggressive behaviour towards teachers in that two-year period.

Shocking incidents on school grounds include:

AN eight-year-old girl who took a knife to school and threatened a nine-year-old boy;

A BOY, 12, who walked through school grounds with a knife in a threatening manner;

A STUDENT, 12, with two knives on school property who behaved in a “physically ­aggressive manner” towards staff, forcing a classroom into lockdown;

A BOY, 10, who expressed “homicidal ideation” towards staff, “threatening the safety of the school”; and

A BOY, 7, who punched a staff member several times.

The figures are even more alarming considering most pupils undertook remote learning for 20 weeks during this time.

A Department of Education and Training spokeswoman said the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and school communities was a priority.

“Incidents of violence and aggressive behaviour are incredibly rare in Victoria’s more than 1500 government schools, but it is never acceptable, and we work closely with schools to make sure incidents are ­appropriately referred, including to the police if required,’’ the spokeswoman said.

“We’ve increased teacher and principal training to make sure they can better respond to and report incidents and get more timely support from the Department of Education and Training when it comes to preventing further incidents.”

Former teacher Kylie Allen, who now runs Inspiring Minds Studio, which helps prepare kids for school, said some ­facilities were in constant lockdown due to kids’ behaviour.

“There are some schools where kids talk during the day about drugs and guns, and grade ones sing the most horrific songs,’’ she said.

“It doesn’t matter what school they are at, it’s what they are exposed to outside of school that’s the issue.

“They are spending a lot more time with technology and can simulate what they see online. Some parents also don’t know what their kids are doing online, they are too busy working or there may be a language barrier; 2020 also took its toll on kids – a huge toll.”

The government launched an $8.9m “Protective Schools” program in 2018, putting a mental health practitioner in every state secondary and specialist school.