Corporal punishment: the issue that sent shock waves through schools

Rebecca Vukovic

By Rebecca Vukovic
Published September 5, 2014

Corporal punishment is defined in Australia as 'the use of physical force towards a child for control, correctional or disciplinary purposes in a way that won’t result in any lasting harm'.

Historically, its use in schools takes the form of a spanking, belting or blows from a strap, paddle or cane ...

This story appeared in the September 2014 edition of Australian Teacher Magazine.

Behaviour and Learning Support

Teaching Aides & Special Needs / Dec 15, 2025

Administrative Officer - Kuranda District State College

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Cairns

Join Kuranda District State College as an Administrative Officer, where you'll play a key role in supporting the school's operations and ensuring a seamless experience...

Teaching - Secondary / Dec 15, 2025

Rehearsal Assistant - Community Engagement & Events

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Brisbane

An exciting opportunity exists for two rehearsal assistants to join the Creative Generation, State Schools Onstage program team in 2026. Join our team and play a ke...

Teaching - Secondary / Dec 15, 2025

School news / Just days in and social media ban slugged with second legal challenge

Reddit should not be considered social media, the app’s management argues, as it fights Australia’s world-leading ban for under 16s.

School news / ‘Infringement of fundamental rights’: Austria passes headscarf ban for under-14s in schools

Austria’s lower house of parliament has passed a ban on Muslim headscarves in schools for girls under 14 ⁠despite uncertainty over whether the legislation will be ruled unconstitutional as a previous ban was five years ago.

School news / ‘Grave and serious breach of that trust’: principal avoids jail for assaulting Indigenous pupils

A former NRL referee has been spared jail after abusing his position of trust as a school principal by putting Indigenous students into choke holds and painfully twisting their ears.

School news / ‘Backed into a corner’: striking Tassie teachers take a stand for school support staff

Most of Tasmania’s government schools have closed for half of today’s school day as hundreds of staff walked off the job in protest at the Liberal Government’s failure to provide fair pay for school support staff.

School news / Inclusive innovation: one school leaders’ incredible Nature, Nurture, Network curriculum

The Hills Christian Community School’s 600 students are on a pretty good wicket. A unique F-12 nature school situated on nine pristine acres of play space, it’s a model school for technological excellence and innovation that is the envy of others,...

School news / Govt’s social media ban a clear win for schools: legal expert

Schools that ignore or dismiss signs of online bullying between students could face serious legal consequences, a former teacher-turned-lawyer has warned.

Opinion / What an emu on a ute taught me about equity in education

Why a simple sentence can reveal hidden gaps in classrooms, and how a grassroots teacher movement is using the science of learning to give every child a fair chance.

School news / Tas investigation update: jumping castle inquest ‘open to different findings’

The families of six children killed in a jumping castle tragedy have been told an inquest could make different findings to a probe that cleared the operator of criminal wrongdoing.

School news / Nervous wait ends as Vic school leavers receive ATARs

After years of hard work and study, tens of thousands of students will receive their ATAR scores, with 42 graduates attaining the perfect score.

School news / Immigrant teens with strong heritage and identity have better mental health and academic success

Immigrant adolescents who feel connected to family, school and community experience lower depression and anxiety, better grades, and stronger social ties a new study has found.

Comments