BULLYING happens in every school; good schools are proactive in their approach and deal with it promptly, firmly and fairly. Bad schools deny it, ignore it, justify it, rationalise it, handle it inappropriately, sweep it under the carpet, blame the victi

BULLYING happens in every school; good schools are proactive in their approach and deal with it promptly, firmly and fairly.

Bad schools deny it, ignore it, justify it, rationalise it, handle it inappropriately, sweep it under the carpet, blame the victim of the bullying, blame the parents of the victim of bullying, or make lots of impressive noises but take no substantive action. The bottom line is ATTITUDE!

Mr McKenna states in a recent newspaper article: "often parents have few, if any, qualifications . . . many families have low aspirations for their children or lack the wherewithal to give the kind of support children need".

This statement directly contradicts the aims in a Queen's School governors report which states, "We acknowledge that everyone has the right to achieve the highest possible standards regardless of their race, creed, gender or culture."

The Queen's School motto is: " ... taking quality education into the future together..." Mr McKenna's ethos and attitude is the opposite. From our own experience and that of the parents and teachers who have contacted Bullystop, Mr McKenna refuses to acknowledge there is a major bullying and discipline problem at the school. His only response is to blame the parents, teachers and victims.

Twenty governors were sacked for not making the leadership accountable. Therefore, when will the new executive board act in the school's best interest and replace the failing headteacher?

We firmly believe the community; teachers, parents and pupils will have no confidence in the school or believe the school can improve until Mr McKenna leaves.

How can deputy heads or teachers make positive changes when the headteacher is unwilling to accept the criticisms of the LEA that Queen's School is failing the community?

When asked if he had considered resigning, Mr McKenna stated, "Absolutely, definitely not. If I look at what I have achieved that speaks for itself." The concerns and problems at the Queen's School unmistakably speak for itself.

HUGHIE O'NEILL

Founder, Bullystop

Main Rd,

Elm

www.bullystop.net