Rex Gardner says a little discipline goes a long way

Sorell High School principal Andy Bennett’s stern action to get students to class on time should be applauded, says Rex Gardner

Principal Andy Bennett, left, and Premier Will Hodgman and after a funding announcement at Sorell High School. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

HATS off to Sorell High School principal Andy Bennett for drawing a line in the sand on student discipline.

His school last week suspended students who turned up more than five minutes late for class – and following that came the predictable avalanche of protests.

On Friday afternoon, two days after it had been implemented, the school backflipped on its controversial policy. The Education Department said suspensions for arriving to class late, or leaving early, would cease.

However, Mr Bennett’s stern action to get his students to class on time will have struck a chord with many people who despair over the lack of discipline and accountability of many in our society.

Hundreds of comments were posted to the Mercury’s website within hours of the story being published. Many comments backed Mr Bennett.

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And many parents within the school community are known to be supportive of his call.

Mr Bennett, an ex-AFL and Tasmanian football star, William Leitch medallist, football coach, ABC football commentator and a leading educator in the Sorell community, is not shy when on a mission.

His determination when tackling a task is something those who met him on and off the field grew to respect.

His crusade on student punctuality was described as “ludicrous and draconian” by the head of the Tasmanian Association of State Schools Organisations.

The Department of Education gave the thumbs down, saying the department’s Respectful Students policy does not support the sanction of suspension for late arrival to school.

What about students showing respect for teachers, fellow students and school rules?

In a letter to families of Year 6-12 students, Mr Bennett said students who were late to class by up to five minutes would have to make up the time at the end of class.

Those later than five minutes would be suspended for one day in the first instance – and parents and carers would be expected to collect their children. The school understood the impact on parents and carers and “we hope our students consider this inconvenience when making choices about behaviour at school.

“We believe that all students are responsible for behaving in ways that do not interfere with the rights of other students to learn and for teachers to teach – hence this letter and my request for your support,” parents were told.

Rest assured, Mr Bennett’s punctuality offensive was directed as much at parents and guardians as much as they were the students at his school.

It also opens up much needed discussion and debate, because students turning up to school and classes on time is just the start. Behind many such problems are slack, lazy and ill-disciplined parenting. What we see of kids in public in many cases represents what is happening – or not happening – at home.

These kids may be victims of their circumstances.

What about soft attitudes to disciplining children generally?

It is clear that taking the line of least resistance when children step out of line is the favoured option for many young parents.

How many parents of teenagers studying at school have strict rules at home about using electronic devices at inappropriate times, such as meals, study and sleeping hours?

The older folk among us were generally subjected to a much more stringent upbringing in and out of school (but let’s not praise the strap or the cane, the ruler on the knuckles, or thump in the back).

Generally, strict discipline as a child set them up for life as a responsible adult, with a full understanding of what is expected of them in a tolerant society. Mr Bennett’s actions also bring into focus the independence of schools to frame disciplines for their own particular circumstances and challenges.

Authority of the school administration is paramount. Public support from the Department of Education is essential.

It is shameful that the Education Department’s wishy-washy statement was not more supportive of Sorell High’s attempts to teach students about punctuality and respect for teachers conducting lessons.

What we need is the Education Minister to strongly support Sorell High’s action in trying to bring order to what is clearly an important problem at the school.

If it wasn’t a big issue, the school teaching staff would not have engaged in such strong action.

Let’s face it, if the Sorell High kids aren’t pulled up for being late into class, why should they turn up to work on time when they leave school, presuming they got to the job interview on time?

Why should they turn up to the dentist on time?

Why turn up to catch a bus on time, or get to the airport in time to catch a flight?

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Sorell High has a long and proud tradition. It is the oldest continually operating public school in Australia, and has been operating on the same site since 1821.

The school motto is “Respecting the past, creating the future”.

Creating the future for the students is exactly what Mr Bennett and his staff were attempting to do.

The State Government is known to hold Mr Bennett and his school in high regard.

The Government has committed to a capital works program that will result in a redevelopment of the school over the next few years.

The Government has also announced additional capital spending to build an early-learning hub on site, which will provide health, support and outreach services for families in the community.

“We are at the beginning of an exciting and seminal period in Sorell School’s long and proud history,” Mr Bennett said recently.

“We look forward to continually strengthening and growing our partnerships with families, businesses and organisations already linked to our school, and welcoming new families into our community.”

Lest anyone accuse the school of being draconian, it freely allowed students to attend Friday’s climate change rally on Parliament House lawns with parental authority, even to the point of advertising details on the school Facebook site.

Rex Gardner is a former chief executive of the Mercury.