Statistics from the NSW Department of Education show that reportable safety and security incidents more than doubled between 2015 and 2017.

In 2017, there were 58 incidents relating to violence, weapons, drugs, welfare concerns and misuse of technology in Wagga public schools compared to 47 the previous year and 26 in 2015.

Violence-related incidents were the highest followed by welfare issues. 

Technology and criminal activities were also reported, including a bomb threat at a bus stop near a school.

One student was also reported to have video recorded a female student getting changed at home before uploading that footage to social media. The student’s phone was confiscated and handed to police.

In 2017, 25 violent incidents were reported, including a stabbing between two students where police attended.

The school took disciplinary action in relation to the offender and both students were provided support following the incident.

In August 2017, a student attending a post-suspension resolution meeting with his mother threatened and then attempted to assault the deputy principal. 

Police were called and the student then assaulted the officers.

In the same month, one student used a weapon to slash another student’s hand and another’s thigh.

A NSW Education spokesperson said every student, teacher and member of the school community had “the inviolable right to feel safe at school”.

“This is why the NSW Government has a zero-tolerance policy towards violence, bullying or harassment of any kind in our public schools,” the spokesperson said.

“To put the low number of incidents into context, there were 1150 incident reports in 2017 for approximately 800,000 students across more than 2200 public schools.”

“All incidents are reported to the department’s Incident Support Unit, which includes staff from the NSW Police Force.

“Where appropriate, incidents are referred directly to NSW Police and other relevant agencies for consideration and appropriate action.”

The spokesperson said that the higher number of suspensions (year-on-year and when compared to serious incident reports) “demonstrates students are being disciplined for violence”.

“Teachers and school staff are required to report incidents to ensure our public schools remain among the safest places in our communities,” he said.

Incidents involving student and teacher welfare were also reported, including those of students with suicidal intentions and abuse at teachers.

In August 2017, while in the playground area, a male parent of a student verbally abused another student and a teacher, requiring police to attend.

Michelle McKelvie, president of Wagga Teachers Association, said the NSW Teachers Federation asked for all teachers to be supported in these instances and that NSW Education follow policy in supporting students and teachers.

“Fair funding to all public schools is imperative, so that students and teachers are appropriately resources to be successful in their dealings at school,” Ms McKelvie said.

In Albury and Central West, there were 54 and 74 reported incidents, respectively, in 2017.

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