The alleged incident occurred on June 18 during a sports session.

The teacher reported a “violent and unprovoked attack” to school executive staff and police.

The teacher was allegedly hit in the back and chest, kicked in the leg and struck on the back of the head.

The girl was the subject of investigations by police and the Department of Education. She was given a 20-day suspension from school.

The girl was charged at Narromine police station this week. She was released on strict bail conditions and is due to appear in Narromine Children’s Court in early August.

The teacher has been on leave since the alleged attack but is expected to return to work at the end of the school holidays. Married with two children, she is well known in the Trangie community and works at the central school three days a week.

NSW Teachers Federation western region organiser Brett Bertalli yesterday praised the teacher for reporting the matter to police.

“Violence is against the law and cannot be tolerated in schools,’’ he said.

“Attacks on teachers are increasing in Dubbo and around the region. Schools suspend and expel students for this sort of inappropriate behaviour but often teachers do not report matters to police.

“I encourage other students to report assaults to police. Students need to realise they are not immune to the law.’’

The Department of Education yesterday declined to comment on the charging of the student. A spokesman said assaults reported to the western region School Safety and Response Unit remain at “a very low level”.

“The department has significant strategies in place to support staff and schools should an assault of a teacher occur,” the spokesman said.

Mr Bertalli supported the teacher’s decision to take time off. He said an occupational health and safety risk assessment and management plan should be put in place before the student returned to the school.

“If problems continue to occur the Department of Education may need to resource Trangie Central with a full teacher’s aid or have the student home schooled,’’ he said.

“They care too much and tend to feel sorry for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. However caring too much doesn’t stop the violence.

“The behaviour was totally unacceptable and not in keeping with the general conduct of the school.

“The school investigated the incident and the student has been disciplined with a long suspension. Return to school will be a structured process, including counselling and risk management. The family is supportive of this procedure and the school’s actions.

“Immediate support and counselling was provided to the teacher by the school and regional specialist staff, and this will be on-going as long as needed.’’