Latest news with #TinaKing
Sydney Morning Herald
7 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Principals ‘are not police': Warning on new school leaders' powers
The state government was warned to 'proceed with caution' before granting government school principals new powers to punish off-campus behaviour that puts students or teachers at serious risk. The principals' peak body told the Department of Education that parents would expect school leaders to act like law enforcement officials when they are granted the expanded powers, aimed predominantly at online misconduct that has an adverse affect in the classroom or playground. Australian Principals Federation president Tina King said the profession had been blindsided on Wednesday morning when Education Minister Ben Carroll announced the changes. A school community in Melbourne's west was left reeling last week when footage was widely circulated online showing students allegedly attacking other children with a machete in the toilets of a local McDonald's. It is unclear if the new powers for principals would be able to be used in those circumstances. Loading Carroll says the new powers are based on similar arrangements in NSW and South Australia, where principals can suspend or expel students for out-of-school conduct. Many Victorian private schools can also act on behaviour by students or parents off school grounds. 'These new measures ensure that harmful behaviour – no matter where it happens – doesn't disrupt the safe, supportive environment every student deserves in the education state,' Carroll said on Wednesday. 'These strengthened powers send a clear message that harmful behaviour outside of school or online has consequences.' But King says her group is worried that principals will be asked to intervene in matters that have nothing to do with school.
The Age
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
Principals ‘are not police': Warning on new school leaders' powers
The state government was warned to 'proceed with caution' before granting government school principals new powers to punish off-campus behaviour that puts students or teachers at serious risk. The principals' peak body told the Department of Education that parents would expect school leaders to act like law enforcement officials when they are granted the expanded powers, aimed predominantly at online misconduct that has an adverse affect in the classroom or playground. Australian Principals Federation president Tina King said the profession had been blindsided on Wednesday morning when Education Minister Ben Carroll announced the changes. A school community in Melbourne's west was left reeling last week when footage was widely circulated online showing students allegedly attacking other children with a machete in the toilets of a local McDonald's. It is unclear if the new powers for principals would be able to be used in those circumstances. Loading Carroll says the new powers are based on similar arrangements in NSW and South Australia, where principals can suspend or expel students for out-of-school conduct. Many Victorian private schools can also act on behaviour by students or parents off school grounds. 'These new measures ensure that harmful behaviour – no matter where it happens – doesn't disrupt the safe, supportive environment every student deserves in the education state,' Carroll said on Wednesday. 'These strengthened powers send a clear message that harmful behaviour outside of school or online has consequences.' But King says her group is worried that principals will be asked to intervene in matters that have nothing to do with school.
