katheedavis. Are you in NSW? Because if you are I think that the only way to make changes is to try to get rid of the Labor State Governnment. With my families complaints, my children even protested outside the Department of Education, the Shadow Education Minister have said that they dont have the jurisdiction or power to do anything to help. The State Labor Party, well they are ignoring us and protecting and looking after thier own reptuation - at any cost.

So, I told the Department of Education that if they havent properly and fairly addressed my families complaints, allegations and concerns that just before the next State election I am going on a hunger strike outside Morris Iemmas Office in protest and with the aim of trying to get them to loose enough votes to get rid of them. Maybe you could join me?

The history of my families complaints against the Department of Education are here http://jolandachallita.typepad.com/education/

Extreme situations require extreme measures.

Where to now? you ask Katheedavis..I think you should get a life and stop using your son as an excuse to carry on your own personal power struggle with the school..

It stops being anything to do with your son when a person adopts this degree of zealousness and becomes blind to the personal and deep unhappiness this day to day madness has on his life..

Your tough you say and youll never give up..can you hear yourself here?Its not about your son..its about you.
You are doing real harm to your boy..he needs a mother who is healthy whole and at peace..he is already 14..gone in a couple of years and then where will you and your fight with the school be with noone to fight over.

You need to give up this OBSESSION its gone too far, youve forgotten the most important person here..your son.
There are none so blind as he who will not see...cliche sorry, but apt.

You didnt answer the question about home school.Its a fantastic option and as he is almost finished school soon anyway.If the reasons a 2nd job..find a way..he is more important.

While you were busy fighting 'city hall' you were losing your son..not what Id want.

taurus29. You seem to think that Katheedavis's son does not want his mother to persue this. If he is anything like my children they EXPECT me to fight for their right to be treated fairly and to be heard. To do otherwise would be to fail in our duty of care!!

They also dont want other children to be dealt with the same way.

If the parents dont protect the children and fight for their rights, then who will?

Taurus, thankyou for your viewpoint. With respect to home schooling - we have looked at this option for our son, but his words were: "Who am I supposed to talk to if I have to stay home? School is a big part of my social life!" It is my son's wish that he remain at school, and he accepts that this may be his only way of doing this. Whilst I in no way condone the trouble he has been in, I am also aware of the unique combination of problems that he has to deal with every day of his life, and thus do we.

Yes I feel as if I have to battle the establishment. He has three years of high school left and it will be a struggle for him, made harder by the fact that his school, which has a duty of care to him, seems unable to do just that, care for him. I need to fight for his rights that are being ignored, and if it involves seeming zealous, so be it. Before all this began, I had a quiet life, something I intend to go back to when the situation has been satisfactorily resolved. I don't believe that anyone should have to live with the stress of something like this (oh, by the way, I have managed to shield my son from a bulk of the battle. Although he is aware of what is happening, I have made it quite clear that this is MY battle, not his).

I appreciate your view and want to let you know I have a life! In fact, my other children will attest to this. As for it being a matter of a second job - I wish. Nothing will change if no one stands up and demands that it change...or writes a few letters.

Indeed Yolanda, as a parent it is our duty to fight for our children, whatever it takes. And Yolanda - you are a gem. Don't change.

katheedavis

katheedavis. You know in a way it is about us. It is about us refusing to absolve the Department of responsibility.

My older children also do not want to be home-schooled, the environment is not stimulating enough. They would probably have chosen to stay home if I was more capable and enthusiastic in the education department (depending on which school they were at), but it really an area where I do not do well. They are popular with their peers and are competitive in sport. At this stage they would rather be at school with their friends and involved in getting to and from school than sitting at home on their own or with me. They accept that they are doing time.

I say that if the Education Department is not going to take any responsibility for the education and care of our children then they should return to us the taxes that we pay that goes towards our child’s school education so that we can then choose to give our children the option to home-school and get a private a tutor or send them to a better school.

In the Education Act it says that education is the prime responsibility of the parent. Parents need to fight for their children’s right to an appropriate education delivered in a safe and caring environment. AT the moment they are wasting our money and much of our children’s time

Yes Kathee Im sure Yolanda is 'a gem' if she tells you what you want to hear.
But the most valuable advice is the advice noone is willing to tell you because they are genuinely trying to help and not worried about falling out of favour with you..they are called yes men.

You stand outside your sons school with placards ...do you consider that to be normal and rational behaviour?
This is way out of whack..you embarrass your son at HIS school in front of HIS peer group and then wonder WHY IN THE HECK hes having problems at school.?, Your son is the one who is in personal turmoil here..1st due to his 'mental illnes' as you put it and secondly the hormonal effects of being a teenager and then you ,his mother .being generally known at school as a whacko(you said the principal said you were unbalanced and irrational)..how can that be helping his cause?his peace of mind?

He has only a couple of years at school..so let him be in peace..back off..if you dont WANT to home school hima nd take the responsibilty for yourself..then leave him be.

I think you have blown this out of all proportion..it doesnt need to be this crazy.

Be at peace with yourself and you might find this has very positive flow on effects for your son.

Calm begets calm.

Im not saying you do not love your son very much..but at some point we have to say..'Am i getting anywhere?..is this doing more harm to my son than good?..Is this fight worth this much grief?..'

Seems to me you are not really looking for solutions here but 'permission' to validate what your already doing?There have been some excellent suggestions here..one of the best from Yolanda and myself about home schooling..he will not be socially harmed by a couple of years schooling thru a different medium..it is a very satisfying experience..he can home schoolmost of the time and 'slot in' to his favourite passtimes or activities at school..to be worked out with teachers etc..keep them on side it could be important.