School suspensions on the decline, but hundreds of students still acting out
A PALMERSTON school was only one of only a handful of public schools in the NT to record a higher number of suspensions in 2020 compared to 2019
Northern Territory
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PALMERSTON College suspended 71 students during Term 1 this year compared to 66 last year and was one of only a handful of public schools in the NT to record a higher number of suspensions in 2020 compared to 2019.
Taminmin College in Humpty Doo recorded the second highest number of suspensions with 66 but that was down from 93 last year.
In Term 1 of this year, 481 students were suspended from NT Government schools.
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This is a remarkable decrease from Term 1 in 2016 when a whopping 669 students were temporarily banned from public schools.
No student has been expelled from an NT public school since 2014.
Most schools recorded a drop in suspensions compared to last year.
Suspensions dropped by 21 at Katherine High School from 53 suspensions to 32.
While in Darwin, at Darwin High and Middle School suspensions marginally increased from below 12 suspensions to 13 and 17 suspensions respectively.
An Education Department spokeswoman said behavioural approaches and programs that worked with students who were acting up had been implemented.
“In the Northern Territory, schools are assisted to implement a school wide positive behaviour approach to ensure students are in a safe and welcoming learning environment,” the spokeswoman said.
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“Schools have access to programs, training and support for student wellbeing with a focus on helping students to self-regulate, become resilient and promote positive relationships.
“Every school has their own behaviour plan based on the code of behaviour and the National Safe Schools Framework, which is developed in consultation with parents and the school community.
“This ensures the safety and wellbeing of the students in their care, and provides a secure and supportive learning environment for students, staff and the wider school community.”
Originally published as School suspensions on the decline, but hundreds of students still acting out