Letters

2nd of June 2009, 8:59pm

From: Ms Angel Garden

Subject: Re: matters concerning bullying

Date: 2 June 2009 8:59:03 pm GMT+12:00

To: Mark Thornton

Dear Mark

On reflection and having discussed the matter further with Steve and with [R], we all feel that it is unacceptable that [R] should have to stay at home for a further day and we are therefore sending her to school with the knowledge that we will be there, not visibly, but fully available to her during every break. We have also informed her that should he try to say anything to her about it at any opportune moment, that she is to go straight to the office, and ask Sharon to call us and we will come and pick her up.  She has agreed to go to school under these circumstances, and we will inform the teacher, whom we obviously have not yet met.

Obviously if you can give us reason why she should be confident that disciplinary procedures have been followed in such a way that clear boundaries have been drawn consequences implemented, and that reparation will be made, then we will not need to be there.

Whilst fully respecting your intentions, it cannot objectively be said to be good professional practise to allow a child to have to wait days for a matter to be dealt with to effect her further safety at school and then to be told that it is our decision.  Good practise is not incompatible with efficiency in these matters.  In fact, in the case of bullying, the opposite is true since it is crucial to take decisive action to avoid further damage.  We are hoping that the school will begin to understand this.

sincerely

angel, steve