Extra vigilance against bullying

THREE schools within the City of Casey will be among 90 primary schools across Victoria to have welfare officers for the first time.
Cranbourne East Primary School, Doveton College and Fleetwood Primary School will be part of the new initiative which is $124 million commitment to help stamp out bullying and provide more support to students and families.
The Victorian Coalition Government has promised to recruit 150 Primary Welfare Officers (PWO) by 2014.
Education minister Martin Dixon said 56 schools had primary welfare officers last year and they would soon be present in two out of three primary schools, P-12 and special schools.
“We take bullying at schools seriously, and this program provides additional support for schools to combat it,” he said.
“Bullying in all its forms is unacceptable, and all schools are required to develop an anti-bullying strategy – the PWO program can be a central part of that at a local school level.”
He said the PWOs will work with staff, students and families to ensure schools are the safe environment that they should be.
The welfare officers across Victoria have introduced innovative programs to engage students and parents, and have flexibility to personalise each program to the school, according to specific needs.
The role of a PWO is to help a school provide support to students at risk of disengagement or to those not achieving their full education potential, while also instilling life skills.
Initiatives include breakfast clubs, citizenship programs and close monitoring.
Mr Dixon said PWOs also played an important role in the Victorian Coalition Government’s commitment to stamping out bullying and violence in schools.
“The work of the welfare officers already present in our schools is highly valued,” he said.
“They provide exceptional support to those students who need it.”