Claims school ignores bully reports

Melanie Maeseele | 8th May 2009

BULLYING is so out of control at a small rural school that parents are threatening to pull their children out while some have already done so.

Parents of students at Mt Tarampa State School outside of Ipswich are concerned teachers are ignoring claims of bullying.

File photo

BULLYING is so out of control at a small rural school that parents are threatening to pull their children out while some have already done so.

One child was so badly terrorised at Mt Tarampa State School, about 40km north-west of Ipswich, that after years of bullying his mother pulled him out of the school.

Kathrine Rodgers said she was so concerned about her nine-year-old son being abused that she reported the incidents to the school repeatedly - but his ordeal continued for two years.

“He was being bullied and harassed constantly,” Ms Rodgers said. “One time he even got hit with a star picket in the middle of his back.”

The turning point for Ms Rodgers was when her son, who was in year four at the time, was punched repeatedly.

Ms Rodgers said she reported the incidents but little was done.

After witnessing more students being bullied at the school she has gained the courage to support other parents in their fight to stop the bullying.

A teacher, who cannot be named, worked at the school for more than a year and described the classrooms as “out of control”.

The teacher said she left after a year because her concerns fell on “deaf ears”.

“Some of the students should be expelled or suspended because they are out of control,” she said.

“There are students at that school who shouldn't be there because their behaviour is unacceptable and disruptive to other children and they need more support than is available.”

Another parent, who asked not to be named, said her two sons aged 10 and 8 were constantly being bullied and victimised at the school.

“They are getting beaten up on a regular basis and they are absolutely petrified of going to school,” she said.

“They get their hair pulled, stomach punched and kicked and it doesn't matter how many times I tell the school nothing changes.”

But she is confident with a bit of help she can make the school a safer environment for her children.

“I have them crying and pleading with me every day to not make them go to school but my only hope is that things will change,” she said.

No one from Education Queensland was available to comment yesterday.

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Recent Comments

Add a Comment »

Posted by ollie from Glenore Grove, Queensland

08 May 2009 11:49 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

This is such a disappointing and inaccurate report - you have exploited a non-situation to beat up a story that does not exist and you also know that the staff involved are prevented from commenting because of Ed Qld policy.

I have two children at Mt Tarampa school and they have been there for 3 1/2 years. I know that the Principal has a zero tolerance of bullying, racism and anti-social behaviour. She works strenously with both parents and the children and the staff to ensure a balanced and positive environment where tolerance and personal responsibility is able to develop. The overwhelming majority of the parents and kids are extremely happy with the Principal, the staff and the school.

Posted by slumlord from Redbank, Queensland

08 May 2009 6:40 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

the school is nothing but trouble i know of kids who use to go there and the teachers dont want to know about it

Posted by GET_IT_RIGHT_QT from Brightview, Queensland

08 May 2009 10:30 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

I am a son of a staff member at the school, and it is very disappointing to me that a supposedly reputable newspaper with decades of experience could get it so wrong.

This article is based on hearsay, no proper research was done as none of the staff were even approached by any employee of the QT to verify any statements made.

As said by ollie there is a zero tolerance toward bullying, etc. and many of the parents and students are upset and annoyed because of the needless and groundless accusations toward their school. All of the staff have worked hard to get the school to where it is and to have this badly reported article needlessly tarnish their excellent reputation.

Posted by GET_IT_RIGHT_QT from Brightview, Queensland

08 May 2009 10:59 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

To the parents who are behind this article (and you know who you are), if you are so unhappy with the school why don't you put the welfare of your children first and withdraw them from the school to get them away from this ALLEGED bullying and abuse and not tarnish the reputation of a good school. Better yet actually take your concerns to the staff and follow it up instead of complaining that nothing was done (Actions speak louder than words) because there is a NO TOLERANCE TO BULLYING attitude at the school.

It is sad that teachers are expected to give more attention to the problems of parents than dealing with proper school matters like giving your children a qualitiy education in a safe environment. I am not saying all parents are like that just a select few. You can have and interest and a say to your child's education just please don't take it to far.

Posted by thedaily_Honesty from Gatton, Queensland

09 May 2009 1:17 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

The problem with an article like this is that it causes problems for the school and its staff. People seeing this article would now possibly think twice about enrolling their children at this school. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate. If I could, I would enrol my children there immediately.

Posted by ollie from Glenore Grove, Queensland

09 May 2009 3:10 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

If the school and the 'response' of the staff is so bad, why have the numbers increased from early 30's to high 60's in the 3 1/2 years this Principal has been there (when most of the other small schools in the area are dropping in numbers) ??

Posted by what_the from Ipswich, Queensland

09 May 2009 8:28 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

I have never heard of such rubbish. That school does have a NO TOLERANCE TO BULLYING attitude, and the teachers and the principal do carry out the right attitude towards any bulling that MIGHT be at the school. Im a daughter of a staff member at that school, they have enough pressure on them, that they dont need some news paper telling ipswich that there a issues at that school when there isnt.

Why shouldnt the select few parents teach their children to have respect to their peers and the staff at the school.

The teachers and staff at that the school do an awesome job, and should be proud for what they do and stand for.

As i said before WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH!

Posted by smithfamily from Atkinsons Dam, Queensland

11 May 2009 3:16 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

As parents of Mt Tarampa school we are disappointed with the newspaper article. We moved our daughter to this school 3 years ago from another school that actually have constant bullying This school has been fantastic in regaining her confidence and increasing her self asteem back to normal.
Thank you to The Principal , teachers and school mates of Mt Tarampa State School.
Geoff and Sue Smith

I have been moved to Mt Tarampa School from being bullied at the other school. I came to this school to get away from the bad behaviour. Ever since I have been at Mt Tarampa there has not been any incidences and if there has been they have been delt with quickly.
And my saying of Mt Tarampa School is
"ITS A FUN AND SAFE PLACE"
Stacey Smith