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The worst thing by far!! It just takes over the boys world and your household. Is just shameful how some people treat eachother.

I wonder if Malta has the same anti-bullying rules and regs we have in the States?

WOuld it be beneficial to talk to the headmaster/principal or the childrens parents?

Sadly, I am going through the same thing at the moment - racial bullying for being English.  Fortunately, the staff at the school have been amazing and hopefully we can resolve it....  however, I'm not sure if the bully will change, as it needs a level of intelligence to do so and I'm not sure how bright the kid is.  I am glad my son stood up for himself when it became physical but I will be monitoring with a very close eye and will take further steps in necessary.

Your heart just breaks for them though, you have the guilt that you have made them a victim by raising them with manners and an acceptable standard of behaviour that is not always the case with others.  You wonder if you have already placed them at a disadvantage?

Unfortunately Malta is the land where you do whatever you want and there are no consequences... You see it from some parents at the school parking lots, some kids and some teachers that just pretend nothing happens (note the word SOME). I had two of this problems last year at one of the top schools in Malta, but know about similar situation in another top school... i had a kid bullying my son for his north american accent, but basically because he was the new kid.... This year the school split them in 2 different classes but last year was hell.
The second issue was with the SCHOOL van driver...drivers union control and dominate schools.... The van driver even called my son "stupid" in addition to other things that you consider harresment anywhere else... Basically the answer from the school was that they couldnt do anything to the driver, i have to live with it, stop using the van services or make my son (junior) wait one hour and use the senior vans. One year has passed and the same driver still owns the same route that my son is suppose to take... It is frustrating.

Good thing is thT this year the school hired a canadian director for the junior school so now I expect international standards rather than maltese standards for bullying.

Thanks for the support all. Have spoken to the school who were initially slow to do anything and only manned up when I physically went in and had a go, but their response has been to focus on my son rather than the bully. I had another go and then the kid was told off.
All my friends, of different nationalities not Maltese, have had similar experiences, sometimes lasting for months and the school is telling me that no they've never had a problem before, making me feel like it's just me that has a problem when I know the issue is bigger here. Nice to know it's not just me.

'never had the problem before' is easily translated into 'don't want to admit there may be a problem because it doesn't look good on the prospectus.

Good luck with your son, I hope things improve.
x

Martial Arts, Judo, Karate etc Teaches confidence and when the going get's tough, they will be able to deal with the issue. It is hard fighting your kids battles even tho every instinct makes you want to pile in. After only a few months of training the bullies will pick on someone else who is an easier target. My sister started karate to help with the bullies 25odd years later she has competed at the highest levels and next month se is off to Japan to compete. For a boy it's a must, you are not training them to fight, you are training them to avoid fighting. I am sure you will have a club near you there is plenty in Malta, Jim

Completely agree with you about the Martial Arts Jim.

We used to do Tae Kwon Do and have investigated the various martial arts places here for him to join.  Sadly, the mindset that you would expect, self discipline, honour, etc etc are not the focus, it would appear to be the opposite.

He did end up in a fight the other day, after a particularly awkward tackle in football which was dealt with rather badly.  Ironically, by the person giving him the most grief at school.  While we have raised our son never to make the first strike, we have also taught him that if you need to you defend yourself and he countered every blow he received.

The same boy has not given him any hassle for the last two days.  It is a shame that it came to a violent interaction which is always best avoided but it does seem to have put across the point that he will defend himself if needs be and perhaps he is not so easily bullied after all.

We shall see.

We've already been doing the martial arts route for the last 6 months, unfortunately doesn't help when the kid in question is 4 years older!

We've taught our son, never start a fight but make sure you finish it.

Out of interest Alf007 which school is getting the Canadian head of Juniors?

Good lad, even if you are making him play a sissy game, bulling never stops, it just gets less and the issue over it lighter. my school was nightmare, every day fights I saw weak kids suffer. The best advice is deal with it in a possitive way, going down the school till you are blue in the face is right, supporting and defending every step of the way, make no mistake if not delt with it can become serious. Jim

voodoo hoodoo wrote:

which school is getting the Canadian head of Juniors?

That will be San Anton School.
Cheers

follow up,

all good now. pushed the school hard and they got told the other kid off, seems to have worked!

still mighty annoyed at school's reaction though! why i oughta!

thanks to all for your kind words, much appreciated.