The NSW Schools Advisory Council will be convened in the first week of December, as the Minns Labor Government puts its support behind advocate calls for a national approach to the issue.
The NSW Schools Advisory Council represents more than 3,120 schools across the state and includes representatives from all education sectors.
It includes Deputy Premier and the Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car, Association of Independent Schools of NSW chief executive Margery Evans, Catholic Schools NSW CEO Dallas McInerney and NSW Department of Education secretary Murat Dizdar.
While all schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy, in an acknowledgement of the gravity and universality of this issue all have agreed that action is needed.
And while every school community is different, the establishment of a statewide approach to bullying will aim to address the common factors which lead to this type of behaviour and outline the expected response from all schools.
NSW premier Chris Minns said it’s just another step in the government’s approach to stamp out bullying in schools.
“In the past bullying may have been seen as a localised problem, but the truth is that this is a scourge that is affecting children across every type of school,” he said.
“While we support a nationally consistent approach, we know that may take some time, so we are not waiting, and we are exploring what we can do here in New South Wales immediately.”
Initiatives already actioned includes the banning of mobile phone use in school grounds, a revised school curriculum which includes lessons on respectful relationships and consent education, the recruitment of 92 new school counsellors and psychologists this year and the launch of the Spotlight on Cyberbullying Website.
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