- Cook Labor Government hosts roundtables on promoting safe and supportive schools
- Input sought from school staff, students, parents, and key stakeholders
- Initiative aims to strengthen strategies to ensure safe and respectful learning environments
Western Australian Education Minister Sabine Winton has sought broad stakeholder input in a series of roundtable meetings, as part of a State Government initiative to foster and maintain a culture of positive behaviour, respect, and unity in schools.
As part of the roundtables, the Minister invited school staff, students, parents, and key stakeholders including unions and peak bodies to discuss approaches to maintaining safe and respectful school environments.
The purpose was to share insights, experiences, and strategies to strengthen support for schools in maintaining safe and respectful learning settings.
The roundtables are part of a multi-pronged State Government commitment to supporting schools in addressing complex challenges.
Key initiatives already introduced by the State Government include the Let's Take a Stand Together action planreleased in 2018 and the revised Standing Together Against Violence 10-point action plan launched in 2023.
These plans empower and back principals to take action against violence through suspension and exclusion processes.
These roundtables were aimed at identifying opportunities to build on and strengthen the existing approaches.
The feedback received will be collated and used to help inform ongoing work and ensure the Government continues to build on the strong supports already in place.
As stated by Education Minister Sabine Winton:
"There is a lot of incredible work happening in our schools, but it's important to also acknowledge the changing environment that schools are operating in.
"This series of roundtables with key people from the education sector was an opportunity to discuss how we can ensure schools are safe and respectful spaces for learning.
"These are complex issues in our schools and it's important to understand what's driving them and what people think are potential solutions.
"I think it's important to speak to those who are on the ground and engaging in work in schools every day, such as our principals, teachers, and students, as well as parents.
"I want to make sure I'm giving careful consideration to what actions can be taken to create meaningful change, and the aim of these discussions was to identify where we might be able to strengthen existing approaches."
