Bullying down, wellbeing up: New survey reveals how culture is improving in Victorian schools
From the playground to the classroom, Victorian schools are seeing fewer incidents of bullying, with teachers and principals credited for driving a cultural shift as students report feeling safer and more supported than in previous years.
Victorian schools are successfully turning the tide against bullying, with new data showing a welcome reduction in students’ experiences of aggressive peer behaviour and harassment across all year levels.
Principal and teacher efforts to foster safer and more inclusive learning environments are paying off according to the results of the 2025 Attitudes to School Survey released earlier this week.
A reduction in bullying was reported across all year levels, with the largest improvement among secondary students, while fewer pupils reported negative online experiences.
Additionally, an increase in students said their schools were handling bullying and harassment appropriately, with the largest improvements observed in Years 7, 8 and 9, while fewer students in primary and early secondary experienced racism.
Tullamarine Primary saw the most improvement in the percentage of students who said the school was doing a great job at managing bullying, followed by Seaholme Primary and Echuca East.
Tullamarine Primary principal Samantha Kenely said the school community worked hard to build a shared understanding of what bullying was and how to respond to it.
“When our students do experience bullying, we put a range of measures in place tailored to each individual situation, ensuring every child feels heard, valued and safe,” she said.
At the high school level, Pascoe Vale Girls College saw the biggest increase in reports the school had improved its bullying management practices, with Norwood Secondary and Cranbourne West Secondary following suit.
Pascoe Vale Girls College principal Kay Peddle said the school “prioritises the promotion of positive relationships, resilience, and an inclusive school culture”.
“We have clear expectations and a consistent approach to bullying with school wide strategies in place to promote a positive learning environment,” she said.
Norwood Secondary College principal Jackie Harris added the school’s values of respect, resilience, aspiration and responsibility were key contributors to its pleasing results.
“As a college we are proud that 84.6 per cent of students in Years 7 to 9 have reported not experiencing bullying and at Years 10 to 12, the number is similar, at 88.8 per cent,” she said.
The survey also asked pupils about their learning experiences, attitudes towards attendance, student voice and agency, wellbeing, use of electronic devices and their outlook towards school as a whole.
More students across all year level groups reported feeling greater life satisfaction, stronger resilience and improved physical health than they did in 2024.
Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll said the results indicated students felt “seen, heard and supported”.
“And that’s exactly what we want in every Victorian school,” he said.
“We’re seeing year-on-year improvement in how students feel about school, thanks to the incredible efforts of our hardworking teachers, principals, parents and carers across Victoria.”
The Attitudes to School Survey is an annual questionnaire for pupils in Grades 4 to 12 that captures an understanding of their experiences at government schools.
Over 380,000 students from 1541 schools participated in the 2025 survey which found despite continued improvements in students’ attitudes compared to last year, most survey factors were yet to reach pre-pandemic levels.
The Department of Education uses the data to improve students’ schooling experiences, while schools use it to support pupils’ learning and wellbeing.
Originally published as Bullying down, wellbeing up: New survey reveals how culture is improving in Victorian schools
