Melbourne principal calls out abusive, threatening parents
A Melbourne school is so sick of parents abusing and threatening its teachers - often in front of students - it has resorted to this extreme measure to tackle the growing problem.
Education
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A school principal has called on parents to be more respectful amid an “alarming trend” of abusive and threatening behaviour directed at teachers and staff.
Doncaster Secondary College acting principal Glenn Morris said already this year “we have had incidents where our staff felt abused or under threat by an aggressive parent”.
“This behaviour has taken place in the presence of both staff and students and impacts on our ability to provide a safe environment,” he told families.
The school and Department of Education have not revealed the specifics of the events disclosed in the school newsletter.
It is unclear if any action was taken against offending parents.
Mr Morris told the Herald Sun the school valued positive relationships with the school community and families in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
“We acknowledge there have been recent incidents involving parents and staff. This has no place in our school, and fortunately only relates to a very small number of parents,” he said.
“We know there are times when parents wish to raise concerns, but we remind our school community that this can be done in a mutually respectful way.”
The State Government recently launched a $9 million protective schools package, giving schools support to ensure all students and teachers are safe.
In a radical move, Mr Morris set the parents some homework — to read the school’s Dignity and Respect Statement.
“This statement outlines the behavioural expectations of all members of the college community. All behaviours and interactions within the college must uphold the principles of our statement of values so that our school can continue to operate in a safe and orderly manner and continue to achieve excellent student outcomes,” he said.
The wide-ranging statement includes a section for parents in which it asks them to “model positive behaviour to your child”.
It asks parents to communicate constructively with the school and use expected processes and protocols when raising concerns.
“Treat all school leaders, staff, students, and other members of the school community with respect,” it says.
Mr Morris said best outcomes were achieved through a collaborative partnership between parents and carers.
“These partnerships must be collaborative, based on effective communication, mutual trust and respect, and shared responsibility for the education of the students at the school.”
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The Department of Education said parents had an important role in supporting their child’s education.
“The overwhelming majority of interactions between schools and parents are positive and productive.”
“We are supporting schools to respond and intervene to situations that arise, including incidents involving parents.”
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