New Year - New Hope

Happy New Year my dear friends and future friends.
I haven't been here for a long time. Too long...

Cirwen's emotional problems, bullying, pre-Christmas
run-around and a strain of flu from one family member
to another took their toll. I was too tired to read or write.
If I was a hypochondriac I would have thought I was
narcoleptic :-)

However, I am pleased the year 2009 finished on a good
note.

After an violent incident on the way from school, when
Cirwen was attacked and kicked by another girl, things
have been dealt with swiftly. A parent of another child
saw what happened and called the school. 15 minutes
after my daughter came back home, I received a phone call
from the Head of the Year 7 asking about Cirwen's well
being and for her to submit the statement to him first
thing in the morning. Apparently the girl was already
a major concern at the Academy.

Cirwen, as frightened and upset she was, went to school
the next day and made the statement. Obviously she
was advised to stay away from the girl as much as possible.
Since then, apart from an odd teasing remarks, nothing
as horrible happened.

My beautiful girl took part in the Academy Winter Showcase
taking major part in their Christmas performance. She glowed,
her voice rang when she recited the poem, her movement was
flawless. Both her dad and me were proud as proud could be!
we spoke to the drama teacher who told us that Cirwen is now
the "resident member" of the drama club and she's not allowed
to leave until she leaves the Academy.

Not that Cirwen would like to anyway. I have found that drama,
which she really enjoys, helps her understand the emotions and
feelings, or how to deal with some situations. She began to deal with
teasing in a much calmer manner. The howling and running out
of the classroom has stopped, and she started to enjoy going to
school again. I think it might have helped that she made many
good friends with older pupils at the drama club as well.

Well, that's the best news so far. It doesn't mean the fight is over.
It means we can do this. It means provided the right support from
school and members of the community, we can stop bullying.
She/he probably will never read this, but I would like to say a deep,
heartfelt THANK YOU, to the mum or dad I don't even know,
who called and reported the incident at the bus stop that day.
People like you make a Difference. Thank you.