My Daughter has experienced pretty severe bullying the last few years at the small public school she is at (less than 150 kids). The only other public school I can get her into and away from these few perpetrators is another small school with a beyond terrible reputation as in the school is close to being shutdown due to so many disgruntled families leaving. I have taken all avenues to get a resolution at her current school but it's just not happening. I put my Daughter's name down at the local Catholic private school (she hasn't been baptized but we are in the process), but she has been on a waiting list for a year. This school has an excellent repuation and is a lot bigger so more room to get away. I have told them she is being bullied but they wont budge. I am not silly, I know everywhere has bullying. I went to both private and public schools. But I feel like I cant even protect her or get her away . We are stuck. My question is, is there any way that I could have her at least bumped up the waiting list or even get given an "emergency" spot? She is 9 and recently been called ugly, a c**t and a bitch. She is being told to have a physical fight with these bullies. She has friends turned against her. It has been 4 long years with much more happening but it is just beyond a joke.
5 Replies
Start ringing the catholic school, have a proper conversation with them about your daughters situation. Sometimes they can make exceptions etc.
otherwise if homeschooling is an option, do it!
Firstly, how awful for your daughter & that you can't get a decent resolution here.
Secondly, don't judge a school by it's reputation, it's not a great indicator of how the school is run. If you haven't already, book a tour and meet with the principal. Discuss the bullying policies and get a feel for the place. Then make a decision.
I wouldn't keep her at her current school waiting to be accepted into the catholic school.
The other school that I say has a bad rep has had numerous families leave. I am talking 6 families within 2 weeks (who transferred to my daughters current school). Close to being shut down.
Fair enough.
I guess your only other option is appeal to the catholic school and tell them of your daughters situation and hope that they hurry the process along. In the mean time, if your current school continues to do nothing about the bullying, take it higher. Email the education department, demand a meeting with the culprits parents, do what ever you have to do to get a bit of relief for your daughter. It's unnaceptable that her school are doing nothing to rectify this!
Good luck IM
That sucks, I am sorry your family has been let down by the system.
Presuming you've written to the principal, the principal's boss, the minister for Ed, your local mp and human rights/children's rights and had an advocate involved and still nothing, well I'd be taking her to a psychologist regularly (if you're not already), and get a medical letter stating she is unable to attend school and just don't go to school anymore. Do not register for homeschooling, unless you intend on homeschooling her. She will no longer be their problem and that's how they like it. She becomes a refugee of the shit public school system. Then go and meet with the catholic school principal, tell her/him that your child is not attending as you are waiting for a place in their school to become available. Go to church, get on the school P and C committee, be seen by them at any opportunity, ring them regularly to check in, get to know the office ladies, Be a friendly squeaky wheel!
My son (special needs) was bullied by an older, bigger child in his support class. He begged to be homeschooled. So I did, for 2 years, until he asked to attend school. We found a different school, still in a support class, it took time but he eventually attended full time. Having that time to recover from the trauma was essential. We 'schooled' in a very relaxed fashion, basically unschooling.
So, forget following the rules, all bets are off, you do what you gotta do to get your girl through and to get her back xx