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ASHBURTON
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Monday, August 5, 2013
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Principal Rakaia abuse rises triumph BY MYLES HUME
MYLES.H@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
Principal abuse is increasing as schools have to make difficult disciplinary decisions over badly behaved children. Research out of Australia has found school principals are six times more likely to be physically assaulted than the general public, with 27 per cent saying they had encountered violence from children or parents. It is a claim backed by the New Zealand Principals’ Federation president Philip Harding, who said it was likely to be the same story here. Ministry of Education figures show between 2010 and 2012, 13 Mid Canterbury pupils alone were stood down for physical assault on staff. In that same period there were 71 stand downs for verbal assault on staff. Mid Canterbury Principals’ Association president Neil Simons said one incident was one too many. “That many cases (in Mid Canterbury) is too many, teachers and principals are there to help people so you’re
biting the hand that’s feeding you.” Mr Simons said he and colleagues sometimes had to make “big decisions” as to how they dealt with an increasing number of badly behaved and disadvantaged children. “Often kids will just say things out of anger and it doesn’t mean a heck of a lot, and sometimes you can understand why parents get emotional because it is their baby you’re dealing with,” he said. “You have just got to remember it is the kid that’s important and if you’re dealing with agencies like CYFs or in court you have got to make sure the kid is the priority.” The Australian survey also found 38 per cent of principals faced threats from parents or pupils. Mr Simons said pupils with behavioural issues were on the rise and often distracted classes. “For some, it’s better to be seen as badly behaved than stupid . . . but we work hard to build a culture where people are prepared to take risks and support them.”
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Rakaia captain Mark Andrew holds aloft the Watters Cup after his side overcame a spirited Methven side 13-9 on Saturday at the Ashburton Showgrounds.
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