Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now it's been revealed that two in three Northern Territory
(00:03):
Principles were victims of violence. In twenty twenty three, the
Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and well Being Survey revealed
sixty one point eight percent of the Territory's principle had
been threatened with violence. Nationally, forty eight point two percent
of principles had experienced violence and fifty three point nine
percent had been threatened. Now students followed by parents with
(00:27):
a primary source of violence and threats across the country.
And joining me on the line to talk a little
more about this is the president of the Northern Territory
Principles Association, Robin Thorpe. Good morning to you, Robin.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Oh, good morning Katie, and welcome to our listeners as well.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Lovely to have you on the show. Now, Robin, tell
me how often are our Northern Territory Principles facing violence?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Well, Katie, I would have to say that, first of all,
the number of our principals and school leaders have really
strong positive relationships with parents and students, but there is
a small minority and a minority that make the work
quite challenging and quite complex. We know that statistics are
(01:15):
not good. We've seen them come out today and we
also know that those statistics showed that our principles are
also very resilient, they're very dedicated, and they're very committed.
And Katie, I'd have to say that probably one of
the biggest challenges is when some of these problems are
(01:37):
persistent and they're ongoing and they become a cumulative and
that's when it really impacts on school leader health and
well being.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
It must be tough, Like it's such a tough job,
I think to you know, to be a teacher, but
then to be a principal running a school and some
of the different external factors you know, they're they're coming
to play aside from just educating children, Like, it would
be incredibly tough. Robin, tell us, you know what are
(02:09):
some of the you know what are some of the
incidents that our principles are having to deal with.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Well, Katie, you know, you're right. Our principles have to
deal with a lot of issues and complexities that happen
in communities. They're leaders in their communities. They're often called
on in times of floods, bushfires, cyclones, food shortages, road closures,
in our community violence in themselves. So the job is
(02:39):
really complex, and you're dead right, there's more and more
work for us to do. We know that there have
been additional workload pressures and they have come from principles
having to manage hr issues, infrastructure issues, housing issues, finance issues,
the list goes on and on, and what they really
want to do is to be able to focus on
(03:00):
the kids and teaching and learning and supporting their staff
to help kids achieve their best. So there are some
examples too in our communities where our principles are having
to clean schools and clean toilets and mow lawns and
all sorts of things. So it is really complex and
(03:22):
challenging work.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
It certainly is, Robin, I mean looking at these just
looking for a moment at at this survey, I mean,
sixty one point eight percent of territory principles being threatened
with violence. They are, they're very strong numbers.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
And looks sadly. I think the violence that happens in
our schools is a reflection of the violence that happens
in our communities. And we know that education can't solve
this by itself. It really does have to be a
whole of government initiatives, and we need to look at
what's behind behaviors or violent behaviors, and at times it's
(04:09):
parents or community members who are under the influence of
drugs or alcohol or have mental health issues. That's really hard,
that's really complex. When it comes to children and students
and young people, we know our job is assisting in
supporting them to disregulate or to regulate their behaviors and
(04:32):
to regulate their emotions. And there's a whole loa of
work that goes in providing wraparound support for kids who
are like that. Probably one of the biggest challenges for us, Katie,
is that we haven't been resourced. We haven't been funded
in the Northern Territory for a long time, so we
haven't been able to put in the right supports and
(04:53):
that's what this additional funding will do. It will mean
that can we get the right support for those kids
that require additional intervention.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
So what needs to happen It does sound as though
there is more funding required, But Robin, from your perspective,
what needs to happen right now?
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Well, I think we need to enact the no tolerance
to violence policies for those extreme behaviors. For example, Victoria
has what they call community orders that was written up
in the report has been quite a positive way of
addressing from quite extreme violent behaviors. And that's a short term,
(05:35):
you know, exclusion for whoever has committed to violent behavior
against the school leader or the teacher or sometimes sadly
towards students as well. I think the other thing is,
as a member of the National Associations, we've been advocating
(05:58):
for the National Teach Your Workforce Action Plan to have
a sixth priority, and what we would like to see
in that sixth priority is that we focus on how
do we retain and sustain our principles, what are the
factors that are contributing to poor principal health and wellbeing outcomes?
(06:19):
And then how do we address them nationally because this
is not just the problem in the Northern Gurtory, it's
right across Australia.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Hey, I want to ask you as well, Robin, while
I've got you on the line this morning. There's obviously
it's been reported that vaping regulations are on the horizon
and in an effort to curb the health crisis that
we know is affecting sixteen percent of the nation's high schoolers, Robin.
How big an issue is vaping in Northern Territory schools
(06:48):
from your perspective, Lo Katie.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
A couple of years ago, when vaping became very popular
with young people, it was a huge issue and certainly
our association was keeping that on the agenda with our
ministers and department. We have seen a slight reduction in
(07:11):
the number of cases that we do have with kids
using e cigarettes. Some of that has been brought around
by having fake detectors in toilets. That's made a difference,
but it certainly has to be education, and not just
education for our kids, but for the public as well,
(07:36):
because I don't think we've had the data and the
research to put it really out there to say what
are the dangers of e cigarettes. So we're really pleased
to see that a first step has been taken to
help regulate bates. We'd probably like to go further at once,
(07:57):
because we really really needs to be a rest with
regulation but also with strong education.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
I agree, you know, I do think that it is
such an educational thing in terms of parents telling, you know,
like speaking to their children about the health impacts of vaping. Robin,
is it just an issue in high schools or is
this something that we're seeing in primary schools in the
Northern territory as well, because I've certainly heard anecdotally that
it is an issue in primary school too.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Yeah. Look sadly, Katie, it is in primary schools. It's
not just the secondary school issue. You know, once upon
a time we had to deal with kids in cigarettes,
but we don't deal with that anymore. We deal with
e cigarettes. Yeah, and you know, sometimes little kids grab
hold of you know, other people, or they get it
from older kids. And the sad part is that kids
(08:50):
think it's school, it's trendy. You know, the whole marketing
has been towards kids. You know, you look at the
product label and you look at the flavors, it's all
targeted towards gigs.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
Yeah, Robin, Crystal, my producer and I've had conversations about
this before. You know, it's meant to be quite difficult
to get your hands on vapes, Like how are school
students even getting their hands on vapes? From what you know?
Speaker 2 (09:18):
From what we know and what kids have told us,
is that there's a market on social media. You know,
people put up ads on where you can go, where
you can beat up to buy vapes, and we also
know sadurdly at times that they are being sold over
the counter two people, two young people, young teenagers, who
(09:41):
then use it and then of course very entrepreneurial and
sell on. So you know, light cigarettes, it's become our
next big problem.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Yeah, it is a worry, it truly is. And the
health impact, you know, we really don't know just how
bad it's going to be. And I guess that we're
going to start to see some of those as the
years progress, and it's our young people that are unfortunately
going to be impacted. Robin thought, yeah, sorry on that.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
I just want to say that we have seen the
effects of nicotine addiction from vaping. That's of course impacting
on kids' mental health and well being, but also impacting
on their attendance at school.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
They're right, so they're not turning up to school then.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Well, well once you get to a point of it
being an addiction and you know you can't vapor at school,
then it's hard for them to come and spend a
full six hours at school.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Well, Robin, I really appreciate your time this morning. Thank
you so very much. For joining us, and no doubt
we'll talk to you again soon. No worries, thanks, thank you,
thanks so much,
Now it's been revealed that two in three Northern Territory
(00:03):
Principles were victims of violence. In twenty twenty three, the
Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and well Being Survey revealed
sixty one point eight percent of the Territory's principle had
been threatened with violence. Nationally, forty eight point two percent
of principles had experienced violence and fifty three point nine
percent had been threatened. Now students followed by parents with
(00:27):
a primary source of violence and threats across the country.
And joining me on the line to talk a little
more about this is the president of the Northern Territory
Principles Association, Robin Thorpe. Good morning to you, Robin.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Oh, good morning Katie, and welcome to our listeners as well.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Lovely to have you on the show. Now, Robin, tell
me how often are our Northern Territory Principles facing violence?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Well, Katie, I would have to say that, first of all,
the number of our principals and school leaders have really
strong positive relationships with parents and students, but there is
a small minority and a minority that make the work
quite challenging and quite complex. We know that statistics are
(01:15):
not good. We've seen them come out today and we
also know that those statistics showed that our principles are
also very resilient, they're very dedicated, and they're very committed.
And Katie, I'd have to say that probably one of
the biggest challenges is when some of these problems are
(01:37):
persistent and they're ongoing and they become a cumulative and
that's when it really impacts on school leader health and
well being.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
It must be tough, Like it's such a tough job,
I think to you know, to be a teacher, but
then to be a principal running a school and some
of the different external factors you know, they're they're coming
to play aside from just educating children, Like, it would
be incredibly tough. Robin, tell us, you know what are
(02:09):
some of the you know what are some of the
incidents that our principles are having to deal with.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Well, Katie, you know, you're right. Our principles have to
deal with a lot of issues and complexities that happen
in communities. They're leaders in their communities. They're often called
on in times of floods, bushfires, cyclones, food shortages, road closures,
in our community violence in themselves. So the job is
(02:39):
really complex, and you're dead right, there's more and more
work for us to do. We know that there have
been additional workload pressures and they have come from principles
having to manage hr issues, infrastructure issues, housing issues, finance issues,
the list goes on and on, and what they really
want to do is to be able to focus on
(03:00):
the kids and teaching and learning and supporting their staff
to help kids achieve their best. So there are some
examples too in our communities where our principles are having
to clean schools and clean toilets and mow lawns and
all sorts of things. So it is really complex and
(03:22):
challenging work.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
It certainly is, Robin, I mean looking at these just
looking for a moment at at this survey, I mean,
sixty one point eight percent of territory principles being threatened
with violence. They are, they're very strong numbers.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
And looks sadly. I think the violence that happens in
our schools is a reflection of the violence that happens
in our communities. And we know that education can't solve
this by itself. It really does have to be a
whole of government initiatives, and we need to look at
what's behind behaviors or violent behaviors, and at times it's
(04:09):
parents or community members who are under the influence of
drugs or alcohol or have mental health issues. That's really hard,
that's really complex. When it comes to children and students
and young people, we know our job is assisting in
supporting them to disregulate or to regulate their behaviors and
(04:32):
to regulate their emotions. And there's a whole loa of
work that goes in providing wraparound support for kids who
are like that. Probably one of the biggest challenges for us, Katie,
is that we haven't been resourced. We haven't been funded
in the Northern Territory for a long time, so we
haven't been able to put in the right supports and
(04:53):
that's what this additional funding will do. It will mean
that can we get the right support for those kids
that require additional intervention.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
So what needs to happen It does sound as though
there is more funding required, But Robin, from your perspective,
what needs to happen right now?
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Well, I think we need to enact the no tolerance
to violence policies for those extreme behaviors. For example, Victoria
has what they call community orders that was written up
in the report has been quite a positive way of
addressing from quite extreme violent behaviors. And that's a short term,
(05:35):
you know, exclusion for whoever has committed to violent behavior
against the school leader or the teacher or sometimes sadly
towards students as well. I think the other thing is,
as a member of the National Associations, we've been advocating
(05:58):
for the National Teach Your Workforce Action Plan to have
a sixth priority, and what we would like to see
in that sixth priority is that we focus on how
do we retain and sustain our principles, what are the
factors that are contributing to poor principal health and wellbeing outcomes?
(06:19):
And then how do we address them nationally because this
is not just the problem in the Northern Gurtory, it's
right across Australia.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Hey, I want to ask you as well, Robin, while
I've got you on the line this morning. There's obviously
it's been reported that vaping regulations are on the horizon
and in an effort to curb the health crisis that
we know is affecting sixteen percent of the nation's high schoolers, Robin.
How big an issue is vaping in Northern Territory schools
(06:48):
from your perspective, Lo Katie.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
A couple of years ago, when vaping became very popular
with young people, it was a huge issue and certainly
our association was keeping that on the agenda with our
ministers and department. We have seen a slight reduction in
(07:11):
the number of cases that we do have with kids
using e cigarettes. Some of that has been brought around
by having fake detectors in toilets. That's made a difference,
but it certainly has to be education, and not just
education for our kids, but for the public as well,
(07:36):
because I don't think we've had the data and the
research to put it really out there to say what
are the dangers of e cigarettes. So we're really pleased
to see that a first step has been taken to
help regulate bates. We'd probably like to go further at once,
(07:57):
because we really really needs to be a rest with
regulation but also with strong education.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
I agree, you know, I do think that it is
such an educational thing in terms of parents telling, you know,
like speaking to their children about the health impacts of vaping. Robin,
is it just an issue in high schools or is
this something that we're seeing in primary schools in the
Northern territory as well, because I've certainly heard anecdotally that
it is an issue in primary school too.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Yeah. Look sadly, Katie, it is in primary schools. It's
not just the secondary school issue. You know, once upon
a time we had to deal with kids in cigarettes,
but we don't deal with that anymore. We deal with
e cigarettes. Yeah, and you know, sometimes little kids grab
hold of you know, other people, or they get it
from older kids. And the sad part is that kids
(08:50):
think it's school, it's trendy. You know, the whole marketing
has been towards kids. You know, you look at the
product label and you look at the flavors, it's all
targeted towards gigs.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
Yeah, Robin, Crystal, my producer and I've had conversations about
this before. You know, it's meant to be quite difficult
to get your hands on vapes, Like how are school
students even getting their hands on vapes? From what you know?
Speaker 2 (09:18):
From what we know and what kids have told us,
is that there's a market on social media. You know,
people put up ads on where you can go, where
you can beat up to buy vapes, and we also
know sadurdly at times that they are being sold over
the counter two people, two young people, young teenagers, who
(09:41):
then use it and then of course very entrepreneurial and
sell on. So you know, light cigarettes, it's become our
next big problem.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Yeah, it is a worry, it truly is. And the
health impact, you know, we really don't know just how
bad it's going to be. And I guess that we're
going to start to see some of those as the
years progress, and it's our young people that are unfortunately
going to be impacted. Robin thought, yeah, sorry on that.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
I just want to say that we have seen the
effects of nicotine addiction from vaping. That's of course impacting
on kids' mental health and well being, but also impacting
on their attendance at school.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
They're right, so they're not turning up to school then.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Well, well once you get to a point of it
being an addiction and you know you can't vapor at school,
then it's hard for them to come and spend a
full six hours at school.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Well, Robin, I really appreciate your time this morning. Thank
you so very much. For joining us, and no doubt
we'll talk to you again soon. No worries, thanks, thank you,
thanks so much,
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.