Nearly 50 students have been suspended from Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School in the first three weeks of the school year, raising concerns for staff and student safety. The 49 suspensions since February 1 represent an increase of 19 compared to the same period last year.
The school, which has about 1,000 students enrolled in years 7 to 10, issued the suspensions in response to potentially dangerous behaviour. Department of Education Goldfields regional executive director Ken Perris said a small number of students had re-enrolled at the end of 2015 and were behaving in a threatening, abusive, and sometimes violent manner towards staff and other students.
Suspension is used as a last resort in Western Australia's education system, with students removed for one to 10 days. The school then works with families and support agencies to address the behaviour. Perris emphasised that no student has the right to disrupt others' learning and that support is available for affected teachers and students.
The issue was raised in State Parliament, with Education Minister Peter Collier confirming the figures in the Legislative Council. The suspension spike follows a 2015 education forum where parents raised concerns about behaviour at the school. Community members also opposed a planned $40 million upgrade to reunite the middle school with Eastern Goldfields College.
Perris noted that the problem extends beyond the school, with some students known to police and other agencies. He called for greater parental support, highlighting that the Goldfields had the highest number of responsible parenting agreements in 2015, which will continue into 2016.
