Tasmanian principals report bullying, violence and lack of trust

That’s the grim revelation from the country’s largest survey on principal health and wellbeing, released on Wednesday.

Tasmanian Principals Association president Malcolm Elliott said he was aware of principals being assaulted, physically manhandled and bullied via social media. 

“And I’ve witnessed one principal being punched by a student.”

The survey found threats of violence doubled in Tasmania between 2011 and 2015 but fell in 2016. The prevalence of bullying towards principals in the state rose in 2015 and again in 2016, to more than 50 per cent – the highest in the country.

Tasmania and NSW had the highest burnout rate, with more than one in two Tasmanian principals reporting being burnt out.

“School leaders report 1.6 times the rate of burnout compared to the general population. It is noticeably higher in New South Wales and Tasmania than the other states,” the report stated.

Independent school leaders reported noticeably higher trust in their management, on average, compared to other groups.

However, Catholic secondary school leaders were close to the cut off score.

“Tasmanian school leaders have noticeably less trust in leaders than all other states.”

The survey highlighted a growing trend of bullying and violence in many parts of Australia, with increases in Tasmania, NSW and the ACT “extremely worrying”.

Mr Elliott said he was aware of bullying, physical violence and threats of legal action being made repeatedly to principals in Tasmania.

“And I’m certainly aware of social media campaigns that have been launched against principals that have been significantly damaging.”

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the government had made improvements through the new Education Act, which would be implemented from July 10.

“Each school will have an adult behaviour management policy, developed... with the local school association.”

The Examiner