Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Over the last couple of weeks, we have reported on
issues being experienced in Catherine at the high school. There's
been videos posted on social media of kids well fighting,
being set upon. We have indeed spoken to the Education
minister about this in the past, and we know that
last week it was reported that police officers were going
to be wandering students at Catherine High School after a
(00:23):
student was treated at a local clinic following well what
was described as a stabbing incident at.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
The school last Thursday.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
We also know then that it was being reported that
a child was stabbed with a pencil this week. Now
joining us on the line is the local member for Catherine.
She's also the Minister for Education, Joe Hersey. Good morning Joe,
Good morning Katie and to the listeners.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Lovely to have you on the show this morning.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Joe.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
I know there's quite a bit going on in the
education space. Can you talk me through how things are
going at the Catherine High School? First off, I know
you and I spoke about this just a couple of
weeks ago and some of the issues that were being
experienced with fighting and other poor behavior.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Yes, So for the listeners that you know don't quite
know the situation of what's been going on there. You know, yes,
there was the start of the school term, there's been
quite a few fights. We as the department put in
school attendance officers and engagement officers to just help support
the school through recess and lunch. They've got a school
(01:32):
based constable there that is supporting students, you know if
they want to have a chat out in the school
playground of school grounds. And you know, there's been a
lot of support given to the principal and the leadership team.
But also on top of that, Katie, we've also it's
(01:52):
almost been like a perfect stool where there's been one
hundred and seven new Grade seven's coming to that school,
a totally brand new leadership team, and the principle was
actually off, so you know, there was a lot of
things going on. The principle he was off unwell, the
principle is now back. He is a very strong, good
leader at the school. He's been there for I think
(02:14):
about almost five years. And so now they have reintroduced
the Yonder pouches and for those that don't know, it's
a little pouch that you slip your phone in during
the day and it's locked away. So that has got
on top of a lot of the you know, sharing
of videos and things like that going around. But obviously
(02:35):
parents are still you know a little bit concerned about
their children going to school, and you know, not to
downplay the incidents, but yesterday we saw a child lash
out and poke another child with a pencil and that
was dealt with, you know, in the school situation, but
it just goes to the broader you know community where
(02:58):
people think that lashing like that is the way to
go about, you know, getting rid of their frustration. And
so that's another conversation that the principle is going to be,
you know, talking to his leadership team and the staff
and how to you know, deal with some of those
kinds of issuess that they're still finding.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
But I've just got thought that sounds of it.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
It doesn't sound like by the sounds of it, you know,
like I know it's been reported as a as a
child being stabbed. I mean, is that how you would
describe the lashing out with the pencil.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
I think it's concerning that a child has felt the
need to lash out with a pencil and poke someone else.
But I think you know, there's a little bit of
licensing in the paper of how they've reported it, and
to say I'm disappointed is an understatement, and the principal
of the school is disappointed as well, you know, because
(03:54):
it doesn't paint a very good light on the picture.
But when you actually get down to know what the
actual problem is, they're not the Facebook picture the actual
situation that's going on. You know, the school is doing
great things. They've had a lot of support. Yes, I
will not say they have not had issues going on there,
and we support them to make sure that first and
(04:17):
foremost staff and students well being and safety is our
number one concern.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Well, I guess that's the concern here, is that unfortunately,
by the sounds of it, you know, there's probably been
really heightened anxiety following on from fights and other issues.
And then I know, I wouldn't be happy if my
child was you know, poked or whatever you want to
describe it as by another child lashing out at them
(04:42):
with a pencil. In fact, i'd be pretty furious, as
I'm sure the parents are. But from what you're saying,
there's been a number of steps taken by the school principle,
by the Department of Education, to try and sort these
issues out that have been going on since the beginning
of the year. Joe, I know that there'd been also
some wanding happened.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Was that at the end of last week, so.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
Throughout you know, back in October, legislation was introduced provide
greater powers to use the handheld scanners across the territory.
And the school has had two wanding exercises this year
and you know that, and so the listeners out there.
No weapons were found in those wanding exercises, and that's
(05:28):
a good thing. And I haven't had parents say to
me that they were concerned about the wanding. Parents have
actually said, well, good, at least we know that, you know,
our kids are going to be safe in there. So
there's there's obviously not everyone feels the same way, but
that wanding exercise just does provide certainty that the school
(05:49):
staff know. You know, it's an extra layer of I
expose a surety that everyone's safe in a school environment.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Look, I wouldn't have an issue with it if I
was concerned that kids were going to school, to my
children's school with weapons, I wouldn't have an issue with
kids and being wanted. I know, not everybody might feel
the same as that, But I think that sometimes you've
got to take extraordinary measures if you've got ordinary behavior
to put it really mildly happening within those schools. So
(06:19):
I don't see that as a bad thing, Joe.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
You mentioned, I don't either. I think prevention is better
than cure case.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Yeah, Joe, you mentioned a moment ago that the school
based Constable is there at the Catherine at Catherine High.
Is that a permanent position.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
It is a permanent position, yes, to the school. He
does go to other schools as well, but he has
an office at the high school and that's to provide
programs and to support teachers. It's not for law enforcement
at the school. That is not the role of the
school based Constable. It is for providing programs, you know,
(06:56):
helping students if they want someone to go and talk
to about something, and also providing support to classes and
teachers in programs that they would be running.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Minister, Minister, I have got a comment that came through
from a parent in Catherine. Now it says, good morning, Catherine.
Schools are having a major problem with youth being sent
back to school with ankle bracelets on and continue with
poor behavior and when police are contacted, there's no action taken.
Two youths with ankle bracelets walked in and out of
(07:30):
the school grounds, then stoned the school. Buses and teachers
were unable to get the police to attend. The kids
wearing these are wearing them with pride in front of
their mates, like it's something to be proud of. It's
about time we get hard on the people continuing to
do the wrong thing. That one there from a disappointed
(07:51):
parent in Catherine, Minister, what do you say to that parent?
Speaker 3 (07:56):
What I would say to that parent is that I
have heard that. I've also spoken to the department. The
department is not aware of any of these things, but
I would urge that parent to send an email, you know,
either to my office or to the department and have
that followed up on. But I have not heard that
from the schools, and I haven't heard that from the department,
(08:17):
so I'm not I've heard it in the community. Somebody
just mentioned that yesterday, but I haven't heard anything else.
And I did follow up on that, but nothing's been reported.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Minister.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
I guess you know the big concern, and I know
again you and I have spoken about this before. But
from what I can gather, the big concern from a
lot of parents at the moment, particularly you know, the
parents of kids that are going to school and doing
the right thing, is that they feel as though the
kids that are not doing the right thing that are
coming in getting in fights, you know, allegedly hurting each
(08:48):
other with pencils, things like that, that there really isn't
a huge amount of consequence for those that are doing
the wrong thing. I mean, I've heard of situations where
we can't even seen kids to go out and pick
rubbish up off the ovals anymore. Like, are we just
in a situation here where we've become so soft that
if a kid does the wrong thing, you know, we're
(09:10):
not even really giving them a consequence to their to
their actions.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
So I know last week Catherine High School did have
a bit of an emy Bob happening around the school
because I made a comment when I was there, and
the principal said, yes, we're having an EMU Bob on Wednesday.
I can't remember actually last Wednesday or Wednesday before, So
I think that does happen. But I think that is
a conversation and I have been having those conversations with
(09:36):
the see of Education around all of this, Katie, because
I think for a long time we have seen this
soft on crime approach in the community that's potentially rolling
over into some schools, and we have certainly said that
there will be actions and there will be consequences, which
is why we've bought back school attendance officers, which are
(09:58):
having a good result in the community. And for the
listeners out there, the children at the start of the
school term that were in those fights were not those
children that were long term kids that hadn't been at school.
They were kids that that were there last year. So
you know, but I do hear what you're saying, and
(10:18):
I do hear what the community is saying, and we
are certainly having a look at all of those things
and talking about them because I think you're right. You know,
if you've done the wrong thing, you know, it might
be a bit punitive to go and pick up a
bag of rubbish or walk around with the teacher, you
know more in primary school, not home, But those kind
of things are very easy things to potentially knit things
(10:43):
in the bud before it escalates. And prevention, as I said,
is better than cure.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
At the other end, Minister, I do want to ask
you about another situation in Palmerston. Now I understand that
the school that I'm talking about along Emory Avenue is
not a public school, but you know there is a
duty of care, I know, to all children. We were
sent this by a concerned parent earlier in the week
and she said, Dear Katie, I'm writing to you regarding
(11:09):
ongoing safety issues at the ELC and the primary school
on Emory Avenue that have reached a critical point. On Monday,
a deeply concerning incident occurred where three intoxicated men were
wandering along Emery Avenue. One of these individuals jumped the
school fence and entered the ELC yard while children were
(11:31):
playing outside. Thankfully, the educators acted swiftly to bring the
children inside safely. But these men continued their disruptive behavior
down Emery Avenue and on to Victoria Avenue, jumping in
front of cars, attempting to enter private properties. Multiple calls
were made to emergency services, and this person says they're
(11:51):
not sure whether the police ended up catching them, but
you know, from what I can gather here, it's not
only disruptive, but again, if there is an intoxicated man
jumping into the fence, over the fence into the school
yard of an early learning center. That's horrifying stuff.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
It is horrifying stuff. And I am aware of the
incident on Emory Avenue, but I don't have any more
detail than what you've just shared there. I have actually
asked us some more detail from the sheryl from independent schools,
but it just again goes to a broader community where
they's absolutely not acceptable for people to be intoxicated roaming
(12:35):
around our streets. And we have, you know, brought legislation
into strengthen the law in those areas. We did come
in on a platform of you know, reducing crime across
the territory. And whilst you know that is happening in small,
incremental levels, you know, for the listeners out there, it
(12:56):
is happening. Sometimes it doesn't feel like it is, but
it is slowly getting better. I certainly hear that in
my community, you know, even just with things like broken windows.
You know, we just aren't hearing of those kind of
incidents as often and frequently as we used to.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Look. I know, though, if you're a parent that had
a child at that early learning center and there's somebody
intoxic that you'd be terrified and and I think you
know as much as people really are hoping that those
changes are going to start to make a difference. I mean,
the fact is here for the parents of this of
this school, you know, they've had things canceled before, like
(13:36):
school events. You know, they've had to have a disco
called off due to safety concerns. They've had drunken people
wandering around in the mornings and in the afternoon in
front of the school.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
And from all accounts of.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
School doing absolutely everything they can to keep the kids safe.
But as you as you've said, you know, like it's
a broader issue, but it's an unacceptable one.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
It is totally unacceptable, Katie. And as the minut for Education,
whether it be an independent school, a Catholic school, a
government school, it is there is a duty to make
sure that children and staff in schools are safe and
that they do not have to put up with this
kind of behavior. I will be as I said, I
will be following that up with sheriff from independent schools
(14:20):
and just to see if she's got any more information
on that.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Yeah, let us know how you go, Minister. I do
want to ask.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
I know that there's been some discussion this morning on
the ABC about extra, well an additional parent potentially being
able to travel on school buses when the contract or
when the tender is awarded.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Where are things at with this?
Speaker 1 (14:40):
And I mean it's a bit of a worry when
just having the school bus driver is not enough in
terms of trying to keep kids safe on our school buses.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
That's right. So the school bus contract here in Katherine
is up to tender and the tender did go out
and through Rob Chapman, the school chair of Catherine South,
had done a school bus survey and he had results
of the survey and I've heard a lot of community
concern about their children traveling on the school bus and
(15:12):
as to whether they feel safe on that bus as well.
So I've taken those concerns to the minister. The minister
has put a pause on that tender and he will
be certainly reviewing the concerns raised about the current bus
contract and about the concerns you know, to make sure
that the children are on safe and reliable transport to school.
(15:35):
And so that review is he's reviewing that at the moment,
and you know, I'll let you know when that is
finalized or what the next steps are there. But it
is absolutely again unacceptable for kids to be going on
the school bus feeling threatened, whether it be through fighting, bullying,
(15:59):
edge weapons, whatever that is going on. Totally unacceptable. And
I will say that this has been an issue even
when my children went on the school bus, but it's
certainly escalated and it is not acceptable. And I did
say early this morning that when my kids went on
there was that extra adult, so you know, that might
(16:19):
be something that the contract needs to be looked at.
You know, I don't want to put words in the
minister's mouth, but you know there is a review happening,
and yeah, I'll let you know what happens from that.
But Joe really quick ones needs to be safe.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Yeah, they certainly do. Joe really quick one.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Before I let you go, I know that parents are
going to have the chance to hear more about the
government's planned move away from middle schools this month, with
school meetings to be held across the Northern Territory. What
exactly is going to be happening and how quickly are
we going to see middle schools scrapped?
Speaker 3 (16:54):
So obviously that's not going to happen overnight, Katie, this
is decades old secondary education structure that has been around.
The middle school review is underway and that will start
to be rolled out from twenty twenty six. But at
the moment there's con consultation with those stakeholders and that's
(17:15):
including students, families, educators, peak bodies and so with school council.
So I said earlier, you know, if you're on a
school council or if you'd like to know more about
the review or have your say, go along to your
school council meetings because you know they'll be t speaking
about that in their school council meetings and that kicks
(17:35):
off this week. So yeah, there's a whole lot of
reviewing going on and obviously there's going to be the
focus first of all will be on the urban areas,
but that it's sort of it's not going to be
the same in Darwin as what it will be in
Alice Springers for example, because it has to suit the
area where they.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
Are so well. Joe Hersey, the Minister for Education also
the local member for Katherine, really appreciate your time this morning.
Thanks so much for having a chat with us.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
Thanks Katie, and just a quick positive before I go.
Congratulations to Kate McTaggart and Shoon King, who are up
for anty Young Achiever Awards, both from Catherine High School.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
Good.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
I always have to have a positive in their case.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Yeah, that is awesome. Good on them.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
We'd love to have them on at some point. Joe,
if we'll get in contact with you and see whether.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
For you.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
Yeah, good stuff, Good on you. Thanks so much for
your time this morning.
Over the last couple of weeks, we have reported on
issues being experienced in Catherine at the high school. There's
been videos posted on social media of kids well fighting,
being set upon. We have indeed spoken to the Education
minister about this in the past, and we know that
last week it was reported that police officers were going
to be wandering students at Catherine High School after a
(00:23):
student was treated at a local clinic following well what
was described as a stabbing incident at.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
The school last Thursday.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
We also know then that it was being reported that
a child was stabbed with a pencil this week. Now
joining us on the line is the local member for Catherine.
She's also the Minister for Education, Joe Hersey. Good morning Joe,
Good morning Katie and to the listeners.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Lovely to have you on the show this morning.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Joe.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
I know there's quite a bit going on in the
education space. Can you talk me through how things are
going at the Catherine High School? First off, I know
you and I spoke about this just a couple of
weeks ago and some of the issues that were being
experienced with fighting and other poor behavior.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Yes, So for the listeners that you know don't quite
know the situation of what's been going on there. You know, yes,
there was the start of the school term, there's been
quite a few fights. We as the department put in
school attendance officers and engagement officers to just help support
the school through recess and lunch. They've got a school
(01:32):
based constable there that is supporting students, you know if
they want to have a chat out in the school
playground of school grounds. And you know, there's been a
lot of support given to the principal and the leadership team.
But also on top of that, Katie, we've also it's
(01:52):
almost been like a perfect stool where there's been one
hundred and seven new Grade seven's coming to that school,
a totally brand new leadership team, and the principle was
actually off, so you know, there was a lot of
things going on. The principle he was off unwell, the
principle is now back. He is a very strong, good
leader at the school. He's been there for I think
(02:14):
about almost five years. And so now they have reintroduced
the Yonder pouches and for those that don't know, it's
a little pouch that you slip your phone in during
the day and it's locked away. So that has got
on top of a lot of the you know, sharing
of videos and things like that going around. But obviously
(02:35):
parents are still you know a little bit concerned about
their children going to school, and you know, not to
downplay the incidents, but yesterday we saw a child lash
out and poke another child with a pencil and that
was dealt with, you know, in the school situation, but
it just goes to the broader you know community where
(02:58):
people think that lashing like that is the way to
go about, you know, getting rid of their frustration. And
so that's another conversation that the principle is going to be,
you know, talking to his leadership team and the staff
and how to you know, deal with some of those
kinds of issuess that they're still finding.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
But I've just got thought that sounds of it.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
It doesn't sound like by the sounds of it, you know,
like I know it's been reported as a as a
child being stabbed. I mean, is that how you would
describe the lashing out with the pencil.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
I think it's concerning that a child has felt the
need to lash out with a pencil and poke someone else.
But I think you know, there's a little bit of
licensing in the paper of how they've reported it, and
to say I'm disappointed is an understatement, and the principal
of the school is disappointed as well, you know, because
(03:54):
it doesn't paint a very good light on the picture.
But when you actually get down to know what the
actual problem is, they're not the Facebook picture the actual
situation that's going on. You know, the school is doing
great things. They've had a lot of support. Yes, I
will not say they have not had issues going on there,
and we support them to make sure that first and
(04:17):
foremost staff and students well being and safety is our
number one concern.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Well, I guess that's the concern here, is that unfortunately,
by the sounds of it, you know, there's probably been
really heightened anxiety following on from fights and other issues.
And then I know, I wouldn't be happy if my
child was you know, poked or whatever you want to
describe it as by another child lashing out at them
(04:42):
with a pencil. In fact, i'd be pretty furious, as
I'm sure the parents are. But from what you're saying,
there's been a number of steps taken by the school principle,
by the Department of Education, to try and sort these
issues out that have been going on since the beginning
of the year. Joe, I know that there'd been also
some wanding happened.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Was that at the end of last week, so.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
Throughout you know, back in October, legislation was introduced provide
greater powers to use the handheld scanners across the territory.
And the school has had two wanding exercises this year
and you know that, and so the listeners out there.
No weapons were found in those wanding exercises, and that's
(05:28):
a good thing. And I haven't had parents say to
me that they were concerned about the wanding. Parents have
actually said, well, good, at least we know that, you know,
our kids are going to be safe in there. So
there's there's obviously not everyone feels the same way, but
that wanding exercise just does provide certainty that the school
(05:49):
staff know. You know, it's an extra layer of I
expose a surety that everyone's safe in a school environment.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Look, I wouldn't have an issue with it if I
was concerned that kids were going to school, to my
children's school with weapons, I wouldn't have an issue with
kids and being wanted. I know, not everybody might feel
the same as that, But I think that sometimes you've
got to take extraordinary measures if you've got ordinary behavior
to put it really mildly happening within those schools. So
(06:19):
I don't see that as a bad thing, Joe.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
You mentioned, I don't either. I think prevention is better
than cure case.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Yeah, Joe, you mentioned a moment ago that the school
based Constable is there at the Catherine at Catherine High.
Is that a permanent position.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
It is a permanent position, yes, to the school. He
does go to other schools as well, but he has
an office at the high school and that's to provide
programs and to support teachers. It's not for law enforcement
at the school. That is not the role of the
school based Constable. It is for providing programs, you know,
(06:56):
helping students if they want someone to go and talk
to about something, and also providing support to classes and
teachers in programs that they would be running.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Minister, Minister, I have got a comment that came through
from a parent in Catherine. Now it says, good morning, Catherine.
Schools are having a major problem with youth being sent
back to school with ankle bracelets on and continue with
poor behavior and when police are contacted, there's no action taken.
Two youths with ankle bracelets walked in and out of
(07:30):
the school grounds, then stoned the school. Buses and teachers
were unable to get the police to attend. The kids
wearing these are wearing them with pride in front of
their mates, like it's something to be proud of. It's
about time we get hard on the people continuing to
do the wrong thing. That one there from a disappointed
(07:51):
parent in Catherine, Minister, what do you say to that parent?
Speaker 3 (07:56):
What I would say to that parent is that I
have heard that. I've also spoken to the department. The
department is not aware of any of these things, but
I would urge that parent to send an email, you know,
either to my office or to the department and have
that followed up on. But I have not heard that
from the schools, and I haven't heard that from the department,
(08:17):
so I'm not I've heard it in the community. Somebody
just mentioned that yesterday, but I haven't heard anything else.
And I did follow up on that, but nothing's been reported.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Minister.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
I guess you know the big concern, and I know
again you and I have spoken about this before. But
from what I can gather, the big concern from a
lot of parents at the moment, particularly you know, the
parents of kids that are going to school and doing
the right thing, is that they feel as though the
kids that are not doing the right thing that are
coming in getting in fights, you know, allegedly hurting each
(08:48):
other with pencils, things like that, that there really isn't
a huge amount of consequence for those that are doing
the wrong thing. I mean, I've heard of situations where
we can't even seen kids to go out and pick
rubbish up off the ovals anymore. Like, are we just
in a situation here where we've become so soft that
if a kid does the wrong thing, you know, we're
(09:10):
not even really giving them a consequence to their to
their actions.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
So I know last week Catherine High School did have
a bit of an emy Bob happening around the school
because I made a comment when I was there, and
the principal said, yes, we're having an EMU Bob on Wednesday.
I can't remember actually last Wednesday or Wednesday before, So
I think that does happen. But I think that is
a conversation and I have been having those conversations with
(09:36):
the see of Education around all of this, Katie, because
I think for a long time we have seen this
soft on crime approach in the community that's potentially rolling
over into some schools, and we have certainly said that
there will be actions and there will be consequences, which
is why we've bought back school attendance officers, which are
(09:58):
having a good result in the community. And for the
listeners out there, the children at the start of the
school term that were in those fights were not those
children that were long term kids that hadn't been at school.
They were kids that that were there last year. So
you know, but I do hear what you're saying, and
(10:18):
I do hear what the community is saying, and we
are certainly having a look at all of those things
and talking about them because I think you're right. You know,
if you've done the wrong thing, you know, it might
be a bit punitive to go and pick up a
bag of rubbish or walk around with the teacher, you
know more in primary school, not home, But those kind
of things are very easy things to potentially knit things
(10:43):
in the bud before it escalates. And prevention, as I said,
is better than cure.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
At the other end, Minister, I do want to ask
you about another situation in Palmerston. Now I understand that
the school that I'm talking about along Emory Avenue is
not a public school, but you know there is a
duty of care, I know, to all children. We were
sent this by a concerned parent earlier in the week
and she said, Dear Katie, I'm writing to you regarding
(11:09):
ongoing safety issues at the ELC and the primary school
on Emory Avenue that have reached a critical point. On Monday,
a deeply concerning incident occurred where three intoxicated men were
wandering along Emery Avenue. One of these individuals jumped the
school fence and entered the ELC yard while children were
(11:31):
playing outside. Thankfully, the educators acted swiftly to bring the
children inside safely. But these men continued their disruptive behavior
down Emery Avenue and on to Victoria Avenue, jumping in
front of cars, attempting to enter private properties. Multiple calls
were made to emergency services, and this person says they're
(11:51):
not sure whether the police ended up catching them, but
you know, from what I can gather here, it's not
only disruptive, but again, if there is an intoxicated man
jumping into the fence, over the fence into the school
yard of an early learning center. That's horrifying stuff.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
It is horrifying stuff. And I am aware of the
incident on Emory Avenue, but I don't have any more
detail than what you've just shared there. I have actually
asked us some more detail from the sheryl from independent schools,
but it just again goes to a broader community where
they's absolutely not acceptable for people to be intoxicated roaming
(12:35):
around our streets. And we have, you know, brought legislation
into strengthen the law in those areas. We did come
in on a platform of you know, reducing crime across
the territory. And whilst you know that is happening in small,
incremental levels, you know, for the listeners out there, it
(12:56):
is happening. Sometimes it doesn't feel like it is, but
it is slowly getting better. I certainly hear that in
my community, you know, even just with things like broken windows.
You know, we just aren't hearing of those kind of
incidents as often and frequently as we used to.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Look. I know, though, if you're a parent that had
a child at that early learning center and there's somebody
intoxic that you'd be terrified and and I think you
know as much as people really are hoping that those
changes are going to start to make a difference. I mean,
the fact is here for the parents of this of
this school, you know, they've had things canceled before, like
(13:36):
school events. You know, they've had to have a disco
called off due to safety concerns. They've had drunken people
wandering around in the mornings and in the afternoon in
front of the school.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
And from all accounts of.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
School doing absolutely everything they can to keep the kids safe.
But as you as you've said, you know, like it's
a broader issue, but it's an unacceptable one.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
It is totally unacceptable, Katie. And as the minut for Education,
whether it be an independent school, a Catholic school, a
government school, it is there is a duty to make
sure that children and staff in schools are safe and
that they do not have to put up with this
kind of behavior. I will be as I said, I
will be following that up with sheriff from independent schools
(14:20):
and just to see if she's got any more information
on that.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Yeah, let us know how you go, Minister. I do
want to ask.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
I know that there's been some discussion this morning on
the ABC about extra, well an additional parent potentially being
able to travel on school buses when the contract or
when the tender is awarded.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Where are things at with this?
Speaker 1 (14:40):
And I mean it's a bit of a worry when
just having the school bus driver is not enough in
terms of trying to keep kids safe on our school buses.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
That's right. So the school bus contract here in Katherine
is up to tender and the tender did go out
and through Rob Chapman, the school chair of Catherine South,
had done a school bus survey and he had results
of the survey and I've heard a lot of community
concern about their children traveling on the school bus and
(15:12):
as to whether they feel safe on that bus as well.
So I've taken those concerns to the minister. The minister
has put a pause on that tender and he will
be certainly reviewing the concerns raised about the current bus
contract and about the concerns you know, to make sure
that the children are on safe and reliable transport to school.
(15:35):
And so that review is he's reviewing that at the moment,
and you know, I'll let you know when that is
finalized or what the next steps are there. But it
is absolutely again unacceptable for kids to be going on
the school bus feeling threatened, whether it be through fighting, bullying,
(15:59):
edge weapons, whatever that is going on. Totally unacceptable. And
I will say that this has been an issue even
when my children went on the school bus, but it's
certainly escalated and it is not acceptable. And I did
say early this morning that when my kids went on
there was that extra adult, so you know, that might
(16:19):
be something that the contract needs to be looked at.
You know, I don't want to put words in the
minister's mouth, but you know there is a review happening,
and yeah, I'll let you know what happens from that.
But Joe really quick ones needs to be safe.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Yeah, they certainly do. Joe really quick one.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Before I let you go, I know that parents are
going to have the chance to hear more about the
government's planned move away from middle schools this month, with
school meetings to be held across the Northern Territory. What
exactly is going to be happening and how quickly are
we going to see middle schools scrapped?
Speaker 3 (16:54):
So obviously that's not going to happen overnight, Katie, this
is decades old secondary education structure that has been around.
The middle school review is underway and that will start
to be rolled out from twenty twenty six. But at
the moment there's con consultation with those stakeholders and that's
(17:15):
including students, families, educators, peak bodies and so with school council.
So I said earlier, you know, if you're on a
school council or if you'd like to know more about
the review or have your say, go along to your
school council meetings because you know they'll be t speaking
about that in their school council meetings and that kicks
(17:35):
off this week. So yeah, there's a whole lot of
reviewing going on and obviously there's going to be the
focus first of all will be on the urban areas,
but that it's sort of it's not going to be
the same in Darwin as what it will be in
Alice Springers for example, because it has to suit the
area where they.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
Are so well. Joe Hersey, the Minister for Education also
the local member for Katherine, really appreciate your time this morning.
Thanks so much for having a chat with us.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
Thanks Katie, and just a quick positive before I go.
Congratulations to Kate McTaggart and Shoon King, who are up
for anty Young Achiever Awards, both from Catherine High School.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
Good.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
I always have to have a positive in their case.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Yeah, that is awesome. Good on them.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
We'd love to have them on at some point. Joe,
if we'll get in contact with you and see whether.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
For you.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
Yeah, good stuff, Good on you. Thanks so much for
your time this morning.
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