Students Suspended After Classroom Incident at Baldivis Secondary College

Five students from Baldivis Secondary College in Perth, Western Australia, have been suspended following an incident involving a relief teacher. A video, initially posted to TikTok and later removed, depicted students engaged in disruptive behavior.

The video showed students walking on desks, touching the teacher's hair, and blowing vape smoke in her face. The teacher was heard repeatedly requesting the students to cease their actions. Support is currently being provided to the teacher involved.

Official Responses and Community Concerns

Education Minister Sabine Winton

Education Minister Sabine Winton stated that teachers are entitled to respect and safety within the classroom.

Opposition Education Minister Liam Staltari

Opposition Education Minister Liam Staltari described the behavior as unacceptable and emphasized the non-negotiable right of teachers to be respected and safe at school.

Staltari also noted a significant increase in teacher resignations, stating they had risen by 120 percent over the past six years.

He called for stricter enforcement of rules and for addressing gaps in social media policies.

State School Teachers Union of WA

The State School Teachers Union of WA indicated that the incident exemplifies the challenges relief teachers frequently encounter. They highlighted that such incidents contribute to teachers leaving the profession.

Principal Alison Parlo's Statement

Principal Alison Parlo reported the footage to the Education Department and is working to identify the student responsible for filming and posting the video.

Parlo stated that the behavior was deeply troubling and unacceptable, not reflective of the school's standards, and affirmed that such conduct would not be tolerated.

She also noted that the majority of students at the school are a credit to their families and community.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch characterized the incident as bullying, asserting that the involved students must take responsibility for their actions. He emphasized that bullying is unacceptable in schools and highlighted the importance of parents and caregivers discussing the impact of bullying with their children.