19 Mar Will behaviour contracts stop school bullying? Educators say the answer isn’t so simple
After a shocking bullying incident at a NSW school, annual behaviour contracts for students and parents are being proposed. But educators say paperwork alone won’t stop bullying — and the reality of monitoring and enforcing them may be more complicated.
A disturbing bullying incident at a south-west Sydney school has sparked renewed debate about how schools should tackle student violence.
One proposal now being discussed is the introduction of annual behaviour contracts requiring students and their parents to acknowledge school rules and expectations at the start of each year.
The idea is simple: families sign a document confirming they understand the school’s behaviour code, including expectations around respect, safety and responsible behaviour — both at school and online.
But many educators and youth advocates say the approach risks becoming more symbolic than practical.
Youth Action NSW has warned that asking parents to sign behaviour forms may look like action, but it does little to address the deeper causes of bullying.
“Getting a parent to sign a form might look like action, but it will not stop a student assaulting another child in a school bathroom,” Youth Action CEO Lauren Stracey said.
She argues that families often have little visibility of what is happening between students inside school grounds.
How behaviour contracts would actually work
Importantly, the proposed contracts would not introduce new punishments for students.
Instead, they act as a formal acknowledgement that students and parents understand the school’s rules and behaviour expectations.
Monitoring behaviour would still rely on the existing systems schools already use, including teacher incident reports, behaviour logs, student wellbeing teams and referrals to counsellors.
In other words, the contracts don’t change how behaviour is tracked — they simply make it harder for families to say they didn’t know the rules.
What happens if the contract is broken?
If students breach behaviour expectations, the consequences would still be determined by existing school discipline policies.
These typically escalate depending on the seriousness of the behaviour and can include:
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warnings or behaviour discussions with teachers
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lunchtime detention or reflection sessions
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meetings with parents and behaviour monitoring plans
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counselling or wellbeing support
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suspension for serious incidents such as violence or bullying.
School principals ultimately decide how incidents are handled, using professional judgement and the school’s behaviour management plan.
Because of this, some educators say behaviour contracts may clarify expectations, but they do not necessarily give schools stronger powers to deal with bullying.
Why bullying is difficult to control
Bullying rarely happens in isolation. It is often shaped by complex peer dynamics, social pressures and the broader culture within a school.
Today, incidents can also escalate quickly because they are filmed or shared online, turning schoolyard conflicts into public humiliation.
Teachers say preventing bullying requires constant supervision, early intervention and strong relationships with students — something that cannot be achieved through paperwork alone.
Many schools already run wellbeing programs, peer support initiatives, and counselling services to address the underlying causes of harmful behaviour.
The uncomfortable issue: adult behaviour
Another factor that is sometimes overlooked in discussions about school behaviour is the role of adults.
Teacher organisations have reported a rise in aggressive behaviour by parents toward teachers and school leaders, particularly when disputes arise over discipline or classroom decisions.
School leaders say these situations can make behaviour issues harder to manage and undermine efforts to build a respectful school culture.
Positive behaviour policies tend to work best when schools and families send consistent messages about respect and accountability.
Looking beyond paperwork
Youth Action NSW is calling for greater investment in early-intervention programs, including youth hubs where young people can connect with peers and youth workers outside school.
The organisation argues that helping young people build a sense of belonging and connection can reduce the likelihood that harmful behaviour will take hold.
Behaviour contracts may still have a role in setting expectations.
But most educators agree they are unlikely to be a complete solution.
Creating safe schools usually requires something far more complex: clear rules, supportive relationships and a shared commitment from students, parents and teachers alike.
