ABSTRACT
Enlightened educational communities are beginning to express concern over the increasing numbers of suspensions and exclusions as schools strive to maintain control over changing populations. Allied agencies such as police and welfare services have concerns that the school system may be contributing to an increase in crime with the use of such sanctions, rather than building a sense of community and citizenship. Research has shown us that the process of alienation and stigmatisation of wrongdoers risks the formation of a subculture within and beyond the school, intent on rejecting the norms of acceptable behaviour as these young people strive to have their needs for belonging and affiliation met. These outcomes, although never intended, work against the promotion of wellbeing, resilience and connectedness in all students. And it may well be that school policy and practice is not taking into account theories of child and adolescent development, or increasing rates of family breakdown and community disconnection.
