She describes Mooroopna, which experience issues last year, as a place where this year teachers and students have forged a strong relationship.
“It is a really calm, lovely environment, there are very few issues and when they arise they are dealt with,” she said.
Wanganui Campus, the site of fights, lockdowns, and increased security in term 1, is also settling down.
“We have worked through those issues, but it also now has a lovely calm atmosphere.”
McGuire Campus, which has a high number of Year 7 students and little separation, continues to provide challenges.
“It is much more stable now; it was quite unsettled last term,” Ms O’Brien said.
Overall, the three campuses are said to be functioning well with supportive teachers and additional resources, but they are expected to continue to face behavioural issues as all schools do.
“We have a small number of kids, and always will have, that struggle in a bigger school but our primary aim is to make children feel safe.”
Dr David Howes, Schools and Regional Services deputy secretary with the Victorian Education Department, said incidents clearly occurred in term 1 but they also occurred in the past.
“Police were called 31 times before the merger; this challenge is not new but we are providing real support, he said.
Dr Howes addressed the “watch list” of problem students reported to be carried by fearful teachers and security staff.
“It was a strategy to ensure where appropriate that staff are aware of students who they should be on the lookout to support, and if students are suspended, obviously we want to make sure they are complying with those requirements,” he said.
“They were used in the immediate aftermath of that incident but are no longer in use.”
Wanganui Campus principal and respected principal of the former Wanganui Secondary College Ken Murray said the campus had a difficult first term.
“We need to accept it happened, we acknowledged that, and I’m very proud of the way the staff and majority of the students responded,” he said.
“The disappointing part is events in February are being referred to as if they are still happening.”
Mr Murray said he accepted a leadership role at the school because he believed in the model and wanted to be involved in the transition and planning.
“It was clearly unacceptable what happened in term 1, but If they think that is happening now, we are a long way from that reality.”
“If you had asked me in March, I think we would have said we were really struggling to take control, it took us two weeks to reset and since then we haven’t had a hiccup.”
Dr Howes said while opponents of the combined school model had met with the Education Minister three times, they had not approached the school to discuss issues.
“We have not had a request to meet this year,” he said.
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