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Students, in a school yard, walking into school

State Government launches action plan to tackle schoolyard violence

4 April 2023

Extra school mental health professionals, hosting school camps, excursions and sporting activities will form part of a plan that focuses on students’ wellbeing in a bid to stamp out school violence.

The State Government’s plans to prevent and respond to violence in schools was announced today at Mark Oliphant College, with recommendations and immediate reactions to support school communities.

This has been supported by an announcement of a one-off $14.2 million Student Wellbeing Boost for 2023 from the Federal Government for all South Australian schools.

The money will be allocated on a needs basis – giving the most disadvantaged and complex schools the greatest pool of funding to make the biggest difference.

Today’s summary report details new and recently launched initiatives, including:

  • An immediate funding investment of $300,000 to be provided to identified schools to engage training or support for restorative practices, which provides both preventative and response measures, including repairing and rebuilding relationships after conflict has occurred to foster a supportive and safe school community.
  • 2023 Parents in Education grants – annual grants of almost $100k will be increased in funding and will be focused on proposals to engage families to prevent violence in schools.
  • Students in the driving seat – a series of student forums to be held to get student ideas and feedback on violence prevention, as well as consultations on adding mandatory high school student membership on Governing Councils to ensure student voices are heard in decision-making.
  • An online Wellbeing Programs Directory providing schools with a list of pre-approved evidence-informed mental health and wellbeing programs available from external providers. This makes it easier for schools to identify, procure and implement a wellbeing program that meets the needs of their school community, using existing funds and the new Commonwealth wellbeing boost investment.
  • Key support through the School Mental Health Service, to provide mental health practitioners based in schools to support young people with mild to moderate and emerging mental health concerns. The service will be available at up to 65 high schools, area schools and Reception to Year 12 schools this year, with a focus on schools with the highest need.

    These strategies follow December’s Violence Prevention in Schools roundtable where principals, principals’ associations, youth organisations, not-for-profit community groups, mental health practitioners, academics and researchers to better understand the causes, effective responses to and suggestions for preventing violence in schools.

    “I am excited to have our students involved in today’s student forum to provide their views on this topic,” said Principal Kerry Williams.

    “While matters of violence are rare, they have a widespread ripple-effect on the whole of the school community, so it is important to take into account the voices of our students.”

    “We know that improving wellbeing, connections and empathy among our students has a positive benefit not just for the individual but for the school community as a whole, and we are pleased to be involved in this process.”

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