School case studies
School communities across Australia are achieving safer, more supportive, respectful and inclusive environments. They are reaching out and caring for those who are different, addressing the social and learning needs of all students.
School case studies contains examples of whole school approaches that show how schools interact with their local communities.
These solutions are unique, yet instructive and inspiring. Some examples focus solely on bullying, harassment, violence and discrimination. Others address the long-term wellbeing of students and communities. Each example shows just a fraction of what each school community is doing.
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Learning, caring and sharing for all our students
A school community in rural Tasmania pride themselves on their integrated approach to creating a positive school experience for all students.
Valuing cultural diversity
A small regional primary school with a high Indigenous population has a cultural studies program that has improved safety, support and literacy, and developed a strong sense of community.
Safe and inclusive schooling for refugee students
An inner city school is enabling ESL (English as a second language) and refugee students to complete their schooling in safety through the development of understanding and respectful staff and peer relationships.
Creating partners for success
A remote island school community has created a safe, positive learning environment where elders play an important role in transferring cultural knowledge, shared understanding and shared goals about education.
Examining gender, race, class and power
Teachers in a large urban primary school used action research and integrated curriculum planning to examine gender, race, class and power. They worked towards a curriculum that would remove the need for behaviour management.
Social action through literacy
A primary school uses critical literacy to integrate issues of gender and power through the curriculum, and to increase boys' interest in literacy and reading.
Getting over homophobia
A large urban secondary school uses drama, discussion and community role models to challenge homophobia.
Addressing harassment on all levels
An independent school for boys has been actively assisting boys to develop respectful relationships with peers and female staff.
Maintaining pregnant and parenting young women in education
A large outer urban secondary school realises the impact of bullying on pregnant and parenting young women and has developed strategies to help these students continue their education.
A special school builds positive student relationships
An outer urban special school focuses on social skills for positive relationships, increased participation and a happy environment for all.
Pathways to positive peer relations
A small inner city primary school has developed a whole school social skills program based on weekly concepts and progressive achievement.
Positive approaches to preventing bullying and restoring justice
A multicultural metropolitan primary school has adopted preventive and restorative approaches to bullying. The method of shared concern replaces punitive measures, and a Personal Best club reinforces appropriate behaviours.
Problem solving through peer mediation
An urban high school has increased students' capacity to resolve conflict, and has changed the school's focus to one of problem solving, through peer mediation.
Student-driven change
Students in a multicultural outer urban secondary school lead cooperative action to create a safer environment with harmonious relationships and a sense of belonging.
Engaging school community members in positive change
In a rural community where formal schooling has been undervalued, a secondary school is improving student attitudes through increased participation and responsibility, which affect students' educational outcomes and social wellbeing.
Alliances to increase student resilience and safety
A secondary school on the fringe of a large regional city takes a 'full service school' approach by integrating agency support and educational initiatives that increase safety and resilience in a high-risk community.
Linking student welfare to curriculum practice
A large outer urban secondary school has responded to bullying by weaving proactive and support strategies through the curriculum.
Sharing the anti-bullying focus
A secondary high school has engaged the whole school community in an anti-bullying campaign to raise awareness of the issues and develop shared action.
Dealing with bullying on many levels
A secondary school has established a range of strategies, coordinated by a representative anti-bullying committee.
Safe and supportive schools program
A primary school community works collaboratively to create a safe, supportive environment that encourages care, cooperation, mutual respect and a love of learning.
Building a strong supportive culture through consultation.
A socioeconomically and linguistically diverse inner city primary school community uses its strong consultative tradition to develop anti-bullying strategies that increase safety, support and enjoyment for all - and gain widespread support.
Peer mediation for a peaceful primary school community
An outer urban primary school community works together to move the focus from behaviour management to positive social skills and problem solving for all.
Working with the Community
A small secondary school has introduced a strong anti-harassment policy and worked closely with their community to develop a culture of "no-hands-on" both in and out of school.
Our Students Care
A large inner city primary school works closely with the community to support the learning needs of a wide
variety of students and teach better ways to deal with conflict and student resilience. The school's approach
included action research projects undertaken by staff and parents, and Year 6 students' very own project
to support kindergarten students.
Making connections – Building a happy school
A small primary school builds a happy school with high levels of student engagement - and great relationships.
Operation No Bully 2004 and Beyond
A comprehensive co-educational high school community in a coastal regional area shares the ways in which their integrated
whole school approaches involve teachers and students in innovative learning activities that span many curriculum areas.
Restorative Practices
An inner city primary school with a student population of diverse backgrounds has used restorative practices across the school to build a powerfully caring, supportive, respectful and inclusive community.
Sharing the spirit
A primary school builds a strong sense of community spirit and integration in an area which has rapidly changed from a
retirement area to young families.
Building a Safe School
A medium sized primary school in a cool surf culture community goes beyond putdowns to build an inclusive school. Difference is valued and students have increased resilience and life skills for staying positive and problem solving in difficult situations.
TBBT Tackle Bullying By Talking
A primary school of 400 students near a regional sea port combines the Friendly School and Families program with Shared Concern and restorative practices to achieve a comprehensive approach to creating positive relations across the whole school.
Small School Big Skills & Values!
A small rural primary school has worked hard to build strong positive cross-age relationships between students in all contexts.
Cultural diversity IS valued
A small school close to the city centre has created an environment where student wellbeing is a priority and diversity is treated as a valuable resource.
Positive relationships are the key
A city secondary school has worked on forming and sustaining positive relationships between all groups.
To be busy and engaged ? 'we say no to bullying'
A small urban girls' secondary school focused on building school-wide positive relationships.
Positive friendships and wellbeing
At our primary school we have developed many fantastic strategies to promote our school's values, increase student wellbeing and make home and community links.
Pro-social values knock out bullying
A small primary urban school with a high level of diversity has taken a values approach that includes teaching and rewarding pro-social skills.
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