School of hard knocks: Region's schools among state's most violent

The Peel cluster, which incorporates the greater Tamworth region, has had a total of 41 assaults this year so far, the sixth highest in NSW.

Of those, 15 assaults were on teachers, the second highest in the state.

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The Namoi network, which covers Inverell, Narrabri, Warialda, Wee Waa, Bingara and Barraba, was also well above the state average with 32 assaults, the 14^th highest in the state. Five were assaults on teachers.

Across the state's 110 school networks, the average number of assaults this year was 20.6.

The average number of student-on-student assaults was 14.8, while the average number of teacher assaults was 5.7.

The region's five other teaching clusters, which represent more than 100 schools, were all below the average number of assaults.

Combined, the networks of Barwon (6), Northern Tablelands (9), Armidale (12), Mooki (14) and Upper Hunter (19) had a total of 60 assaults, 15 of those being on teachers.

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The figures were revealed in the recent NSW Budget Estimates. Education Minister Sarah Mitchell is on annual leave and was unable to comment. A NSW Department of Education spokesperson said the statistics referred only to physical assaults, not verbal abuse.

"Any kind of violent and anti-social behaviour, including physical and verbal assaults, is not tolerated at any school in NSW," the spokesperson said.

"When incidents occur in schools, they are investigated immediately and appropriate action is taken, which can include counselling, suspension or expulsion.

"Schools record cases of inappropriate behaviour and work independently and closely with parents and other agencies, including police, to prevent it and to support or discipline students involved as necessary."