Principals, together with their leadership teams, are grappling with an alarming rise in critical incidents, including violent threats, mental health crises, suicide attempts, and medical emergencies, according to new research from the Australian Catholic University (ACU).
More than 80 per cent of principals surveyed reported experiencing such incidents, with many describing them as “high” or “extreme” in severity.
The Understanding Critical Incidents: Empowering Australian School Leaders report, led by ACU’s Associate Professor Theresa Dicke, and published in November 2024, highlights the profound toll these events take on principals’ mental health and resilience.
The study surveyed 351 principals nationwide, finding that 57 per cent felt unprepared to handle critical incidents, while 67 per cent reported cumulative trauma from dealing with multiple crises.
“This research paints a concerning picture of the increasing frequency and severity of critical incidents in schools,” said Associate Professor Dicke. “School leaders are calling for urgent systemic changes to provide the support they need.”
Survey findings speak volumes
The study’s findings are stark:
- More than half (50.4 per cent) of principals have faced two or more critical incidents.
- Security threats were the most common incidents (21.2 per cent), followed by mental health crises (12.3 per cent) and suicide threats or attempts (10.8 per cent).
- Principals in Tasmania and Western Australia reported the highest incidence of severe cases.
- Principals frequently cited feeling unsupported, burned out and underprepared for these challenges.
Fellow researcher Dr Paul Kidson noted that underlying factors such as parental abuse, social media pressures, and community attitudes exacerbated the problem. While 42.3 per cent of principals reported coping “very well” or “extremely well”, this resilience often masked the long-term impacts of inadequate support systems.
Taking action
Key recommendations from the report include:
- Developing a standardised incident response, including a Parent Charter.
- Enhancing psychological and post-incident support for principals.
- Providing better training and communication with emergency services.
- Allowing principals time off without stigma after traumatic incidents.
The report also advocates for state and territory governments to act on these findings, particularly in hotspots such as Tasmania, where up to 72.3 per cent of incidents were rated as “high” or “extreme” in severity.
One principal member captured the gravity of the situation: “I’m 11 years into principalship … I won’t make 20.” This sentiment underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to safeguard the wellbeing of school leaders and the broader school community.
In response to concerns raised at the IEU Council meeting in August, members passed a unanimous motion in support of a campaign to address the problem: Violence and harassment in schools – members call on employers to take action (Newsmonth #7).
The union has since contacted employers and meetings have been scheduled to discuss the issue. A comprehensive report detailing the data, resources, and processes available will be presented to IEU Council early in 2025.