KIDS BEING PHYSICALLY AGGRESSIVE AT SCHOOL

Over the last few months, we have noticed a significant increase in incidents involving students, both male and female, using aggressive, physical violence towards each other.

This is unacceptable behaviour and will not be tolerated in our learning community. Last week Mr Pitt and I spent a significant amount of time speaking with several students, who have been using physical aggression towards other students.

If students are involved in physical or verbal assaults towards one another, or St Ita’s staff, parents of the children involved will be notified immediately, and serious consequences will be put in place to reinforce that these sorts of behaviours and actions are not acceptable at St Ita’s.

I would ask all parents to have a conversation with their child/ren about having respect for one another and never turning to violence as retaliation when you are unhappy with another person.

Teachers across our school will be focusing on this issue at all levels, and I thank all parents for working with us to give the strong message that violent behaviours are never acceptable in our school.

UNDERSTANDING AGGRESSIVE BULLYING BEHAVIOR

As hard as it may be to hear this news, it's important to deal with it right away. Whether the bullying is physical or verbal, if it's not stopped it can lead to more aggressive anti-social behaviour and interfere with your child's success in school and ability to form and keep friendships.

Kids bully for many reasons. Some bully because they feel insecure. Picking on someone who seems emotionally or physically weaker also might provide a feeling of being more important, popular, or in control. In other cases, kids bully because they simply don't know that it's not OK to pick on kids who are different because of size, looks, race, or religion.

In some cases, bullying is a part of a pattern of defiant or aggressive behaviour. These kids are likely to need help learning to manage anger and hurt, frustration, or other strong emotions. They may not have the skills they need to cooperate with others. Therapy often can help them learn to deal with their feelings, curb their bullying, and improve their social skills.

Some kids who bully are copying behaviour that they see at home. Kids who see aggressive and unkind interactions in the family often learn to treat others the same way. And kids who are taunted learn that bullying can translate into control over children they see as weak.

Helping Kids Stop Bullying

Let your child know that bullying is not OK and can bring serious consequences at home, school, and in the community if it continues.

Try to understand the reasons behind your child's behaviour. In some cases, kids bully because they have trouble managing strong emotions like anger, frustration, or insecurity. In other cases, kids haven't learned cooperative ways to work out conflicts and understand differences.

Be sure to:

• Take bullying seriously. Make sure your kids understand that you will not tolerate bullying at home or anywhere else. Set rules about bullying and stick to them. If you punish your child by taking away privileges, be sure it's meaningful. For example, if your child bullies’ other kids via email, text messages, or a social networking site, stop phone or computer privileges for a period of time. If your child acts aggressively at home, with siblings or others, put a stop to it. Teach more appropriate (and nonviolent) ways to react, like walking away.
• Teach kids to treat others with respect and kindness. Teach your child that it is wrong to ridicule differences like race, religion, appearance, special needs, gender, economic status. Try to instil a sense of empathy for those who are different. Consider getting involved together in a community group where your child can interact with kids who are different.
• Learn about your child's social life. Look for insight into what may be influencing your child's behaviour at school (or wherever the bullying happens). Talk with parents of your child's friends and peers, teachers, guidance counsellors, and the school principal. Do other kids bully? What about your child's friends? What kinds of pressures do the kids face at school? Talk to your kids about those relationships and about the pressures to fit in. Get them involved in activities outside of school so that they meet and develop friendships with other kids.
• Encourage good behaviour. Positive reinforcement can be more powerful than negative discipline. Catch your kids being good. When they handle situations in positive ways, take notice and praise them for it.
• Communicate with the school. If bullying is happening at school, work with administrators and teachers to develop an action plan. If your child knows you will be aware of their behaviour at school, this can help to increase their accountability for bullying behaviour and help promote more prosocial choices.

Starting at Home

It's natural — and common — for kids to fight with their siblings at home. And unless there's a risk of physical violence, it's wise not to get involved. But keep an eye on the name-calling and fighting, and talk to each child regularly about what's acceptable and what's not.

Keep your own behaviour in check too. Think about how you talk around your kids and how you handle conflict and problems. Kids who live with yelling, name-calling, putdowns, harsh criticism, or physical anger from a sibling or parent/caregiver may act that out in other settings.

If you behave aggressively — toward or in front of your kids — chances are they'll follow your example. Instead, point out positives in others, not negatives. When conflicts arise in your own life, be open about your frustration and how you cope with your feelings.

There will be situations that need discipline and helpful criticism. But don't let that slip into name-calling and accusations. If you don't like your child's behaviour, stress that it's the behaviour that you'd like your child to change, and you have confidence that they can do it.

Who Else Can Help?

If a stressful life event at home may affect your child's behaviour, get help from resources at school and in your community. Guidance counsellors, pastors, therapists, and your doctor can help. If your child has a history of arguing, defiance, and trouble controlling anger, consider getting an evaluation with a therapist or behavioural health professional.

As frustrating as it can be to help kids stop bullying, remember that bad behaviour won't stop on its own. Think about the success and happiness you want your kids to find in school, work, and relationships throughout life. Curbing bullying now is progress toward those goals.

2024 SPIRIT OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION - INSPIRING FAITH AWARD WINNER

At the end of last term, the school improvement team met and it was unanimously decided that we wanted to nominate Robyn Lewry for the 2024 Spirit of Catholic Education - Inspiring Faith Award, which was presented last week during Catholic Education Week.

Robyn was successful, and last week she received this wonderful award which acknowledges her outstanding contribution to Catholic Education and recognises the significant difference she has made to student learning and collegial support. We would also like to take this time to formally acknowledge the wonderful work that Robyn has undertaken in her various leadership roles at St Joseph’s Warragul, the CEO Sale Diocese and St Ita’s Drouin.

On behalf of everyone in the St Ita’s Community, can I say thank you Robyn, for all your efforts along our journey and for the continuous kindness and support you have given so many along the way. This award couldn’t go to a more deserving recipient.

PARENTS & FRIENDS COMMITTEE TRIVIA NIGHT

A HUGE thank you to everyone who put the effort into getting the school’s trivia night up and running. It takes a lot of time and effort to coordinate an event like this, and everyone’s efforts are beyond appreciated. What a FUN night it was!!!

Congratulations to our winning table. Lots of giggles and fun were had across the evening.

A big thank you to all our sponsors who generously donated items for our prizes and raffles.

We are so excited as a school that we have such a great sense of community and love welcoming our families to be part of it. We hope everyone had a great night.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

1. Monday 10th June - King's Birthday
2. Tuesday 11th June - Pupil Free day
3. Thursday 27th June - Last day Term 2
4. Friday 28th June - Pupil free day
5. Monday 15th July - Pupil free day
6. Tuesday 16th July - Term 3 starts all students
7. Friday 20th Sept - Last day Term 3
8. Monday 7th Oct - Term 4 starts all students
9. Monday 4th Nov - Pupil free day
10. Tuesday 5th Nov - Melbourne Cup
11. Tuesday 17th Dec - Last day term 4