There’s been a lot of talk lately in Australian media about student behaviour in schools — and it’s not just about classroom disruption. It’s having a serious ripple effect on the wellbeing of teachers and school leaders, many of whom are feeling burnt out and unsupported.
The 2023 Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey showed just how bad it’s getting: more than half the country’s school leaders said they were thinking about quitting or retiring early, thanks to stress and other pressures.
Federal Labor MP Jason Clare has called for national action to support school leaders. A long-running survey by Australian Catholic University found that threats of violence against NSW principals jumped from 28.5% in 2011 to 46.2% in 2022. Actual physical violence more than doubled in that time — from 20% to nearly 44%.
A 2023 Senate report into classroom behaviour painted a bleak picture too. Teachers are spending, on average, 15% of their lesson time managing behaviour instead of teaching. That’s a huge chunk of time lost — time that could be spent helping kids learn.
What’s Behind the Behaviour Issues?
It’s not as simple as blaming “bad kids” or strict rules. A lot of behaviour challenges are linked to bigger, more complex issues.
Socio-economic disadvantage plays a major role. Kids dealing with unstable home lives, financial stress, or limited access to basic resources are more likely to struggle with behaviour at school. Mental health is another big factor. Anxiety, depression, trauma — these can all show up as acting out in the classroom.
And while many schools want to support these students better, they’re often held back by two big barriers: teachers don’t have enough time, and they’re not given the training they need to confidently handle these mental health and behaviour challenges.
A Bigger Picture Approach
To really make a difference, schools need to look at the bigger picture — and get proactive. That means building inclusive, supportive environments where students feel like they belong, where struggling kids get the help they need, and where teachers are backed with real tools and training.
The Grattan Institute tackled this in their 2017 report, Engaging students: creating classrooms that improve learning (Peter Gross, Julie Sonnemann, & Kate Griffiths, Feb 2017). Their message: tackling behaviour problems has to be a whole-school effort — and it starts with building up teachers.
Some key suggestions:
Give every teacher practical support to create a better learning environment.
Strengthen induction programs for new teachers, and pair them with experienced mentors.
Make time for teachers to collaborate, reflect, and share feedback with each other.
Equip teachers with tools to spot disengagement early and adjust their approach accordingly.
What’s Already Working
Programs like 1-2-3 Magic in the Classroom (for primary schools) and Engaging Adolescents (for high schools) from Parentshop offer proven, school-wide approaches to managing behaviour. They help schools create consistent expectations and strategies across all classrooms.
And it’s not just about the students — teacher wellbeing matters too. Parentshop’s Tough Conversations for School Leaders was created in response to findings from the 2011-2015 Principal Wellbeing study conducted by Prof. Philip Riley. This course helps new and emerging school leaders reduce their stress levels by learning how to handle difficult conversations with confidence — a crucial skill in today’s school environment.
Less-stressed leaders plus less-stressed teachers equals a more enjoyable workplace and better-educated children.
For more information on all of Parentshop’s resources for professionals, see HERE.