Golden Grove High School turning around after disastrous 2022 fuelled by violence and anti-social behaviour
It was in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons last year, but there’s fresh optimism at Golden Grove High as a new approach generates extraordinary results.
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It was in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons last year but a troubled Adelaide school is turning the corner after drastic intervention.
Golden Grove High School was engulfed in controversy after a spate of violent incidents and anti-social student behaviour.
Graphic videos of student fights were published on social media, the worst being the bashing of a boy in a toilet as others watched.
But ahead of term 1, authorities have revealed major improvements at the embattled northeastern suburbs school, where two star pupils scored near-perfect year 12 results last year.
Education Department data shows a 39 per cent drop in year 8 incidentsand a 10 per cent fall for year 9 after a behavioural crackdown in term 4.
Suspensions also plunged by almost two-thirds in those two cohorts.
The incidents helped accelerate a mobile phone ban in all public schools this year.
Security staff are back, with the school one of 20 to pilot a special government program called Positive Behaviour for Learning.
The school is also strengthening connections with families by holding various social events. One of several schools to be blighted by bad behaviour, Golden Grove High is introducing a staggered start, with years 7, 11 and 12 beginning on Monday before the rest of the pupils return on Tuesday.
Lockers will also be moved as schoolyard confrontation hot spots are reviewed.
Speaking publicly for the first time since last year’s incidents, principal Peter Kuss – who was left devastated after facing calls to quit – said the school had drawn “a line in the sand”.
“We have seen a massive change,” he said.
“Whilst we don’t want to be the school that was highlighted or spotlighted in the media, we also didn’t shy away from the fact that these incidents happened with our young people.
“It did say ‘There’s something wrong here and we need to do something about it’.
“It was something that was a line in the sand and we had to respond. And I think the school has responded and the school community responded really, really positively.
“However, we don’t think we’ve finished our work in this space.”
Asked if he was turning things around, Mr Kuss said: “Absolutely. No doubt about it.”
Mr Kuss said the school could continue to manage its current 1600 students, adding that it had last year suspended almost two dozen students – many of whom were considered “bystanders” to violent incidents.
Male and female security staff were also hired, while various pupil mediations were held with parents.
Mr Kuss said a blitz on school-hour movement – policed by school leaders in high-vis vests – “dampened” much of anti-social activity.
He also held regular school assemblies that forced students to take responsibility and refocus on learning.
Student mediations were also vital as was consulting local businesses, who reported customers being “wary” when seeing Golden Grove High students because of the negative publicity surrounding their behaviour. “I spoke about how it affected me as a principal – the school that I’m responsible for,” Mr Kuss said.
“One of our school values is pride, and I said how much of a dent to our reputation it had taken.”
He implored students – many of whom were also embarrassed and fearful the negative coverage might hurt their job prospects – to be better local citizens by smiling and being polite.
An experienced high school principal and leadership adviser was drafted in, along with a full-time behaviour-support coach and parent liaison officer, while the regional education director based herself onsite.
Forcing bullies to face their victims in an expert-run “restorative practice” – youth mediation – also helped as did the suspensions which sent a strong message that bystander behaviour would be severely punished.
In a positive sign, two of the school’s brightest year 12s shone last year.
Despite missing much of term 1 with injury and illness, Alana Wilkinson, 17, of Yattalunga, received a SACE score of 98.95 and a place studying medicine at Adelaide University. She edged out Sam Bate, 18, of Greenwith, who scored 98.55 and will study mechanical engineering and computer science at Adelaide University.
“It was disappointing they (the incidents) happened. It was really disruptive and unnecessary but the teachers were brilliant,” said Alana.
Sam also lavished praise on his teachers. “The support I got was really great,” he said.
Education Minister Blair Boyer, whose electorate of Wright neighbours the school, said it was “incredibly pleasing” to see how it had “bounced back”.
“I made it clear from day one that we will do whatever it takes to support schools like Golden Grove High through the kind of issues they were dealing with last year,” he said.
“And I won’t hesitate to do it again if that’s what any of our schools need.
“It shows how the measures we put in place can make a real difference. Although these incidents are isolated across our school system, it’s important we respond strongly when they arise.”
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Originally published as Golden Grove High School turning around after disastrous 2022 fuelled by violence and anti-social behaviour
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