Today I took my telephone into every meeting and waited for a call from the year 9 dean which did not come. I was anxious to hear how A’s meeting went with the teachers.
It is now 12 noon and nobody has called me at all from the school since my daughter was assaulted. I ring and the person I speak to is very empathetic and knows of the incident. She checks if the dean is available but he is teaching so she says she will put me through to the principal. I get his voice mail so leave him a detailed message and ask him to call me.
Its 2.30pm and the principal returns my call. He tells me that three teachers and all the girls involved in the incident yesterday met this morning. He tells me the dean was too busy to call, and that he hadn’t even had a chance to eat all day. I worry that the assault is not being taken seriously but the principal reassures me it is and that he is meeting with the community constable at 10am tomorrow. I asked if I could attend but am advised that the constable is not always reliable time wise. The principal says he will call me after the meeting.
I am distressed when I get home to hear how A experienced the restorative justice meeting this morning. I also speak to B and she tells me she was too afraid in front of K and O to say how she really feels in case she gets attacked again. A feels the teachers just asked if the kids wouldn’t do it again, to which they all replied ‘we are done’. After the meeting the kids were all then left to it in the playground together, and Eden and Jessie felt they may be attacked again. O gloated at them and told friends ‘I gave Eden a hiding’. Is this how to stop kids assaulting each other? I am angry now, and A is practicing her boxing tonight because ‘there are no consequences if I hit them back’. She wants to be able to protect herself, and is expecting another attack. How will this child learn anything at school this week? How many weeks will it be like this?
I have sent another email to the dean tonight asking for a meeting. Disappointed that he didn’t respond to my email yesterday but I do hope he managed to get some dinner.