I AGREE TOTALLY A FAMILY MEMBER OF MINE WAS ALSO AT THAT SCHOOL FOUR 3 YRS WAS BULLIED THE WHOLE TIME THAT THEY THERE THE PARENTS HAD A MEETING WITH THE SCHOOL WHO DIDN'T BOTHER TO LISTEN OR TAKE ANY ACTION SO THE POLICE WERE CALL IN AND WAS ADVISED TO MAYBE HAVE THE CHILD GO TO A DIFFERENT SCHOOL THEY WERE TAKEN OUT OF THAT SCHOOL THE NEXT WEEK AND HAS NOT LOOKED BACK AT ALL AND YES THE TEACHERS WERE A LOT TO BLAME FOR THE ACTION OF THE BULLYS, IF I WERE YOU I WOULD NOT LEAVE MY CHILD THERE AT ALL

Posted 30 Jul 2008 by wendy

Thanks for your feedback Wendy. I have known other kids go through exactly what you explained. I expect better care for the fee's I pay there and other parents do too. Although there is bullying there from other students from what we can see the majority of the bullying is from the teachers - the adults and leaders of the school. I have never seen such unfairness,intimidation and lack of action....over and over. There are a few dedicated teachers that are wonderful and kind but they can't do too much when it comes to going up against the rest of them who truly should never have become teachers in the first place.

Posted 31 Jul 2008 by Jewells

I attended Aquinas from 98-2002. Although it wasnt the best school out there and had a few problems for me it was always a great place to be. The teachers were always kinds and defintly supportive and bullying was really fround upon. We had several students expelled relating to bullying. We may have been lucky with our grade coz mimimal bullying went on and a majority of us still keep in contact via facebook ect. Its a total shame what a change in leadership teams can do. Sister Nancy Took over whilst i was there and she implemented all this massive anti bullying policies. So it seems that who ever has taken over has allowed everything else to slip. Teachers who were there in my time, espicially simon mckenzie, peter procopis and a few others inspired me to become what i am today! Come on Aquinas get your act together and start implemeniting a supportive environement like a school should be.

Posted 5 Aug 2008 by Tarzr85

Without trying to upset you, as this is obviously a delicate topic, I was wondering what sort of bullying you were talking about and if you could give some specific examples of the bullying.

This is a pretty important topic that we should all be aware of, which
is why I am asking.

Thanks

Posted 18 Aug 2008 by Aliceanne

Hi,thanks for your question. It is a delicate issue as this is my child however your asking does not upset me and I am more than happy to give you some of the many examples I have.
The kind of bullying I am referring to has come in many forms. One example is stand over tactics eg: one teacher put his face nose to nose with my child and threatened that if her homework was'nt done he would talk the principal into expelling. Another example is verbal abuse eg:my child (and others as I have been told be parents) has been sworn at,called names and insulting things said such as "your parents are failures."...just for 1 example. Intimidation has been another - there are certain teachers who love to scream in kids faces,walk past them with a shake of the head or a death stare.
These are just naming a few and very concerning for a parent who works their butt off to pay fee's just for their child to be treated like that.
In saying that,I am fully aware of the difficulties teachers face every day and it would not be a job I would like to do. No kids are perfect and certainly some alot more difficult than others but they all deserve to be treated better than that. And questioning these things is impossible as it's all covered up and made the child's fault every time. God forbid the child be right and the teacher be wrong.
I must also say though there are a few teachers there that are patient,kind,funny,inspiring and have the ability to always be at the kids level to understand,empathize and relate. Now they are the ones who should be proud they chose teaching as a profession.
My thinking is if connecting with and inspiring the kids is so hard then why teach? Why be in a position where the kids look up to you and you are not a good enough role model for them to follow? We,as parents,hand over our babies,everyday to be educated and cared for not to be treated like they shouldn't be there. Especially those of us who pay private school fee's in a catholic system - I expect more.

Posted 19 Aug 2008 by Jewells

Hey I went thier also ( 2004) lets just say i didnt last long... the headmistress was awful and so were the teachers, their is a terrible bullying problem their also! I have talked many ppl I know out of sending their kids their.

Posted 20 Aug 2008 by toosh

Thanks for your response. If there has been physical intimidation and verbal denigration I can see why you are so upset. Everyone in the education sector has a duty of care to be non-threatening and to do their job without intimidation. I really hope you find a school that suits you and where the teachers are kind and compassionate.

Regards

Posted 22 Aug 2008 by Aliceanne

Try St Hilda's...it's right down the road, and without a doubt, the best educational institution I have ever stepped foot in. There is a very strong anti-bullying focus throughout the school, and students are all encouraged to participate. Disputes between teachers and students and teachers and parents are always mediated by a third party. For boys, TSS is the go. Both schools have strong departments innot only academics and sport, but also performing arts, lanuages, and other areas, so regardless of academic or sporting abilities, students are always allowed and encouraged to excel. Although single-sex schools may seems like a non-option for you, I can guarantee that after your children settle in, they will be happier than ever. So will you.

Posted 29 Aug 2008 by verygc