Anne TootillBullying in Primary Schools
April 29th 2008 00:19
I was surprised to learn about this case of bullying because it's my Primary School in Castle Hill, a leafy, quiet surburb of Sydney.
A Chinese family has taken its case to the Supreme Court after three brothers, 7, 9 and 10 were allegedly bullied with comments including "ching chong Chinaman" and teased them repeatedly saying they hated Asians and Asian restaurants should be bombed to make way for McDonalds and Kentucky Fried outlets". The oldest was threatened with a pair of scissors.
Two years ago the family of was awarded $6000 in damages and the school - Excelsior Public at Castle Hill - was ordered to apologise. But the decision was overturned on appeal last year when it was ruled teachers could not be held liable if they failed to respond to racist insults in the playground.
I don't doubt for a minute that it actually happened, kids can be little shits, we all know bullying has gone on for years, I bet no body did anything about it in your school either.
This family is angry with the teachers and I don't blame them, they have to keep an eye to this sort of behavour and stamp it out - every school, primary and high school should have a zero tolerance to bullying.
It seems we have to teach our children how to be kind to each other, pretty sad really.
Remember the landmark $1 million awarded to bullying victim Benjamin Cox after it was found the department had failed to protect him in the '60s?
So watch out teachers, there's a big new responsibility about to be put on your shoulders. Good luck.
A Chinese family has taken its case to the Supreme Court after three brothers, 7, 9 and 10 were allegedly bullied with comments including "ching chong Chinaman" and teased them repeatedly saying they hated Asians and Asian restaurants should be bombed to make way for McDonalds and Kentucky Fried outlets". The oldest was threatened with a pair of scissors.
Two years ago the family of was awarded $6000 in damages and the school - Excelsior Public at Castle Hill - was ordered to apologise. But the decision was overturned on appeal last year when it was ruled teachers could not be held liable if they failed to respond to racist insults in the playground.
I don't doubt for a minute that it actually happened, kids can be little shits, we all know bullying has gone on for years, I bet no body did anything about it in your school either.
This family is angry with the teachers and I don't blame them, they have to keep an eye to this sort of behavour and stamp it out - every school, primary and high school should have a zero tolerance to bullying.
It seems we have to teach our children how to be kind to each other, pretty sad really.
Remember the landmark $1 million awarded to bullying victim Benjamin Cox after it was found the department had failed to protect him in the '60s?
So watch out teachers, there's a big new responsibility about to be put on your shoulders. Good luck.
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