Funds for welfare wages

TWO City of Casey primary schools have received a funding boost to help stamp out bullying among young people.
Cranbourne Carlisle and Clyde primary schools were among 300 primary schools across the state to received funding for a Primary Welfare Officer (PWO) as part of a Baillieu Government election commitment to help tackle bullying and provide additional support to students and families.
The funding boost, announced in this year’s State Budget, will see welfare officers working in two out of three government primary, P-12 and special schools.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Education Inga Peulich said under the plan, every Casey primary school would eventually have access to a PWO.
“The expansion of the program will better support students, their teachers and parents and will play a key role in helping tackle bullying and cyber bullying,” she said.
Ms Peulich said students’ behaviour and ability to learn was heavily influenced by their social and emotional wellbeing.
“Primary Welfare Officers will work with students and their families to help support student learning and create safer more harmonious school environments,” she said.
“PWOs will also help free up teachers to teach more effectively.
“Principals of primary schools where the program has operated have been incredibly supportive of the work of welfare officers and have reported enormous improvements in students’ behaviour, attendance, willingness to learn and general perception of themselves.”
Bass MP Ken Smith said it was fantastic news for Clyde Primary School.
“Clyde Primary School has been serving the community since 1910 and now has the opportunity to continue offering the very best learning environment by meeting special needs with the appointment of a PWO in 2012 to assist students to reach their full educational potential,” he said.