The number of incidents at Bathurst schools dropped in 2014

The number of incidents at Bathurst schools dropped from 12 in term one, 2014 to eight in term two, with assault accounting for half of the cases.

Violence and threats between students, weapons, physical attacks and prohibited drugs all featured in the latest Department of Education and Communities (DEC) report.

On April 29, two teachers were bitten by a student when they tried to intervene in a student brawl, while in May, one student told a school staff member they had been sexually assaulted by another student in the school gym.

During the 11 weeks of term two, 2014, five students were caught smoking drugs on a property neighbouring one school.

During an art class on June 17, one student threatened another with a tool being used in the class.

Meanwhile, Dubbo’s public schools recorded a significant drop in the number of incidents with five in term two, down from 13 in term one.

Orange public schools had seven reported incidents (up on six cases in term one).

The number of incidents across Western NSW’s public schools has dropped significantly, with 35 cases of assault, threats, weapons, drugs and other incidents during term two last year, a 61 per cent drop from 57 in term one.

But, the number of incidents in Western NSW in term two was five times that of the same period in 2005, when just seven cases were reported.

Incidents across NSW have also dropped – from 492 in term one, 2014, to 361 in term two, a drop of 36 per cent.

But, a decade on, incidents in NSW have skyrocketed from 134 to 361  – a jump of 269 per cent – compared to term two in 2005.

A DEC spokesperson said violence or aggressive behaviour of any kind was not acceptable at public schools.

“Schools respond strongly and principals will implement discipline according to the school’s code of behaviour that is established in consultation with the school community,” the spokesperson said.

“Discipline can include a range of appropriate sanctions including suspension and in serious cases the school may move to expulsion.”

“The vast majority of schools do not report a single incident.

“For instance, in term two, 2014 more than 89 per cent did not report a single incident, with 86 per cent not reporting a single incident the following term.”