On Friday 24th May, I visited the 5/6 classrooms with the intention of working with all 5/6 students on how we can work together to solve some problems/worries many students in 5/6 have at the moment regarding physical violence.

When I asked them what are some of the things they would like to stop happening in grade 5/6 both in the classroom and out on the yard, they responded with;

We would like to stop others

- Hitting

- Punching

- Kicking

- Pushing

- Tackling to the ground

After they had identified the things they would like others to stop doing, as a collective, they came up with some consequences for those students who make a poor choice and choose to display one of these behaviours. The agreed consequences are below.

All students in 5/6 have agreed to this document, have signed the agreement and have commited to holding each other to account, being that this is what they want in their classrooms.

To make this work however we, Columba, need parent support.

Too often, students are making poor choices, choosing one of the above behaviours, especially when they are angry, upset or retaliating to something that has happened to them. For Columba, whether you are an instigator or retaliator, this is not okay.

As a school we will not accept instigation or retaliation and if parents are providing a different message to this at home, we are most certainly not on the same page.

We need parents to be on board with the consequences the students have developed, and work to support the teachers and the school because if we do not have a united front in stamping out physical violence, children will begin to believe that there are no natural consequences for their poor choice/behaviour.

There’s No Excuse for Abuse

Accept no excuse for abuse in your home. Write this on a piece of paper and put it on the refrigerator. Let “there’s no excuse for abuse” become the motto of your household.

Hold your child responsible for his/her violent behaviour no matter what the justification. And remember, being verbally provoked is not an excuse for abuse and does not justify a violent response. I’ll say it one more time—there’s no excuse for abuse. Ever.

Hold Kids Accountable and Give Consequences

When kids are violent or abusive, you must hold them accountable every time. You need to ensure that there are consequences for their actions. And make sure those consequences are set up as learning experiences. You want the consequence to teach your child what to do differently next time.

Know the difference between a punishment and a consequence. A punishment is retribution (or vengeance) for a wrongful act. Consequences are usually natural or logical outcomes that result from one’s behaviour. You can’t punish your child into good behaviour, but you can get him/her to want to behave better through effective consequences.

A consequence is typically the loss of a privilege until your child completes a task or behaves acceptably for a specified period of time. This isn’t a punishment, although it may feel like one to your child. A good consequence is tied to the behaviour in such a way that if the behaviour improves, the consequence goes away as a result.

Alternatives to physical violence - Retaliation

When a child faces physical violence, responding without retaliation is crucial for their safety and well-being. Here are some strategies to help them navigate these situations:

1. Stay Calm: Encourage the child to take deep breaths and try to remain calm. This helps in thinking clearly and not acting impulsively.

2. Seek Help: Teach the child to immediately find a trusted adult, such as a teacher, parent, or guardian, and inform them about the incident. Adults can intervene and ensure the child's safety.

3. Use Words: Encourage the child to use their words to express how they feel. Phrases like "Stop, I don't like that" can assert their boundaries without escalating the situation.

4. Walk Away: If possible, the child should try to remove themselves from the situation. Walking away to a safe place can prevent further harm.

5. Stay in Safe Places: Encourage the child to stay in areas where there are more people and supervision. Those choosing violence are less likely to act out in well-monitored environments.

6. Build a Support System: Having friends who can stand by them and report incidents can provide a sense of security and deter potential aggressors.

7. Report Bullying: Teach the child that reporting violence is not dobbing or snitching; it is a way to protect themselves and others from harm.

8. Build Self-Esteem: Activities that boost a child's confidence and self-worth can empower them to handle difficult situations more effectively.

By instilling these strategies, children can learn to manage physical violence in a non-retaliatory way, ensuring their safety and promoting a peaceful resolution.

Please note, I have sent this letter to all grade 5/6 families.

It will be in next week's newsletter however I wanted to keep all our 5/6 families informed on how we are making our 5/6 learning spaces as safe as possible, by listening to our students and helping them to develop a school environment that they want.

Take care

Regards,
Andrew Greco
Principal