[Oz-gifted] RE: Ability Grouping

[Michelle Gabriel]

Hi Louise,
B has taken a stand recently against the "bullying" and inconsistent
behaviour of one particular girl.  This is the first time I have seen
her stand up for her beliefs in friendship, as before she thought it was
all her fault and she would be so stressed that she would run away from
it.  

She called this girl and told her unless she changed her behaviour she
would not be her friend any more, she described to this girl the things
that she found was limiting their friendship. I thought it was very
mature.  The other girl's mother and brother didn't.  They got on the
phone to B and abused her (brother calling her a fat pig with a few
extra word in between - very nice).  B said well, if that is they way
the mother and older brother acted; no wonder this girl had no idea of
friendship.  So she has told the girl that she won't be her friend
unless she changes her attitude.  (I just wondered if this was a friend
what was an enemy).

I have experience first hand how this girl has tried to manipulate B and
her other friends.  But there was no way that I could stop the
friendship.  I am so proud of B being able to work this out herself and
finishing something that was distressing to her.  I also was proud that
she just didn't ignore the child, but explained the reasons behind her
decision.  I don't think many adults would have had the foresight to do
that.

The reason I was happy about this confrontation is that 6 months
previously B had walked out of another school saying she would never go
back due to similar taunts from kids.  This time she stood her ground
and decided to work through it her own way. She wants to stay in this
school and has decided that she will make it work on her terms.
Cheers

Michelle G