Hi

We have been here 15 months and up until recently were really happy with our children's school. My 11 yr old son spent almost a year at Craigburn Primary School which I can highly recommend. He loved this school and had loads of friends.

About 4 months ago we moved to Yankalilla about an hour an a half south of Adelaide. Last week we removed our children from Yankalilla Area High. Both my children were badly bullied. My 5 yr old daughter was surrounded by five 11/12 yr old boys who taunted so badly and would not let her go, she wet herself. This happened twice. My son has put up with "English Bastard go home", being tripped over, ostracised. He was also punched and dragged along the floor by one boy and had to have his leg bandaged by the school because the grazes were so bad.

There are lots of lovely Australians out in the country but there is also a minority Anti-English attitude. My dad was actually Australian and my little boy had told the kids at Yankalilla this, but it did not make any difference. BE WARNED. There is racism against the British in this school.

The school were pro-active in trying to sort the situation, but admitted that there was a rogue element of children there.

They are now happily in Investigator College which is a private school in Victor Harbour. It is about about a 35 min drive from where we are but worth every bit of that time.

Just felt strongly that I wanted to let people to know.

Thanks

Kate

Hi kate

OMG that is terrible your poor kids they should never have to go through anything like that at any stage of life let alone so young. Did the school take it any further as im sure they need punishing for such outrage behavior.

Do the kids live local to you as i really hope not as they might carry it on outside.

I dont know how far you have taken this but maybe a phone call to the education dept and the police.

Im glad to read that they are settled into their new school now and i just hope this incident hasnt scared them in someway

Debs xx

Hi Kate
Perhaps you would consider adding your experiences of these various schools into our Schools FAQ? (I think you are able to post into that area of the faq anyway.... some areas you can't.) But that way it would stay for future reference by our members.

Hi

Have tried to post in that area but am unable. Please feel free to copy it across if you are able.

Thanks
Kate

Kate,

That is horrendous, I really feel for you .. I'm so glad you got the kids out, even if does mean a long drive every day .. It is shocking that a school let this happen, especially as it was more than once! I hope this experience has not tainted your 'new life'

Nikki
xx

P.S Have you finished with the boxes? I think we are going to be moving too in a couple of months!

This just made my blood boil !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope your kids are ok now and haven't been too traumatised with it all.

I just hope these bullies have been severely dealt with otherwise they will be bullying some other innocent victim now.

Jo

So sorry to hear that! It just makes you wonder where they get those attitudes from. I also wonder whether it's actually because he's British, or just general bullying, (Sorry, I shouldn't say 'just'!), and being English is a means to an end, and not the actual reason. eg If he was overweight, they might bully for that, or Asian, they could use that as an excuse, etc.
So glad your children are happy where they are now, and that you have recognised that not all Australians have that attitude.

Jen

God Kate, that's really awful!! I'm so glad you managed to get your children away from there before even more damage was done.

Thank you for naming and shaming the school, if the word spreads hopefully no one elses children will have to go through what your two did. I really hope they are settled and happy now.

Sarah

I reckon you should threaten the school with legal action and that you are going to Today Tonight or A Current Affair. That will get them to realise they have a problem that needs sorting out.

How awful. :o