Bullies bash six-year-old
A SIX-year-old girl whose mother says was punched and bullied “relentlessly” in recent months has been withdrawn from Labrador State School, with an expert warning of a sharp rise in bullying at Gold Coast primary schools.
Year 1 student Summah Hillhouse has been pulled out of school after she was punched in the forehead on Tuesday by another six-yearold girl, says her mother.
This followed a separate incident two weeks ago when some older boys exposed themselves to Summah and a friend and punched her.
Upset mum Shaye Hillhouse, of Labrador, said her daughter had already been hit five times by the child she says punched her this week.
“The teachers don’t seem to be able to do anything about it. It’s so frustrating,” she said.
“On Tuesday afternoon we had a meeting with a deputy principal, who was very good to us, and she promised there would be consequences for the offender but it’s too late.
“I have to protect my child so I’m moving her to another school.
“I’ve been to Southport police but I was told there is nothing they can do because a child under the age of 11 cannot be criminally responsible for his or her behaviour. I’ve also contacted the Education Department but they’ve fobbed me off.”
Grandmother Kim Den Hertog said Summah was a resilient, sweet-natured child but she was “shaken” by the latest incidents and did not want to go back to the school.
Gary Poole, a psychologist and southern Queensland regional director of ACT for Kids, which provides support services for children and families, warned of a rise in bullying among young children.
“Bullying has been around for a very long time but with easy access to technology, it’s taking a different form and becoming more serious among young children,” he said.
“Incidents like this ... are becoming more prevalent than they were five years ago.”
Labrador State School principal Stephen Josey referred Bulletin inquiries to the Department of Education, which issued the following statement: “Bullying is not tolerated in Queensland state schools. Any situation that threatens the safety and wellbeing of students is treated extremely seriously, and dealt with as a matter of urgent priority.
“(Labrador State School) continues to work closely with the students and their families to address their concerns. The Department cannot comment on individual cases for student privacy reasons.”
THE TEACHERS DON’T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT’S SO FRUSTRATING