Victorian principals subjected to shocking violent attacks

Victorian school principals are facing shockingly high rates of physical violence, with an educator revealing parents have become particularly aggressive.

Victorian principals are being subjected to shocking violent attacks.

Victorian principals are being subjected to shocking violent attacks and facing burnout, a new survey has revealed.

The latest Australian Principal Occupational, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey by ACU has revealed almost a third of principals in Victoria said they experienced threats of violence – more than four times higher than the general population.

The study surveyed 2590 school leaders across all states and territories and made policy recommendations to both government and key stakeholders.

More than 29 per cent of principals also said they endured physical violence, which is also seven times higher compared to the general population.

Other findings also found 14 per cent of principals experienced bullying, while almost 21 per cent experienced cyber bullying.

While Victoria measured the lowest in all findings compared to other states, burnout (physical and mental fatigue) were the highest since the survey started in 2011.

Co-chief investigator Professor Herb Marsh said the soaring demands on school bosses were

unsustainable.

“Principals and their deputies worked on average at least 55 hours a week. A quarter of those reported working more than 60 hours a week so it’s unsurprising the sheer quantity of work is the top stress factor,” Prof Marsh said.

“What the 2021 survey tells us is the younger and less experienced ones are reporting higher levels of stress than their more experienced peers.”

The pandemic has created a number of issues for educators.

Overall, 82 per cent of principals reported increased connections with their school families, with most educators also experiencing high work satisfaction levels.

A principal, who works in Melbourne’s southeast, told the Herald Sun she and her colleagues had experienced several threats from parents in the past two years.

“Some parents became particularly aggressive during the pandemic due to homeschooling and other factors. It was a very difficult period and staff really did their very best,” she said.

Victorian Principals Association president Andrew Dalgleish said the rates of psychological ill-health remain of “grave concern”.

“With Covid-19 still causing issues in the sector, the worry is now, how long they can sustain this workload,” Mr Dalgleish said.

Australian Primary Principals Association president Malcolm Elliott said the survey data should be the catalyst for meaningful, systemic change.

“The time is long overdue for governments to welcome to the table those who have the most workable ideas for how to redesign a cracked system – the principals,” he said.

Education Minister James Merlino said: “Despite the challenges of the pandemic, it’s reassuring that Victorian school principals have the lowest rates of burnout and stress – reporting lower work demands and higher job satisfaction than any other state or territory.”

“The health and safety of our staff and students is our first priority – and we have passed legislation to ensure school leaders and staff are treated with the respect they deserve, supporting principals to respond to offensive behaviours by parents or carers,” he said.