Last week, we sent home telephone and email messages regarding the consequences that would be meted out to those engaged in a "staged fight", bystanders and the individuals responsible for posting the fight online.
Many parents called in worried that their son or daughter had been suspended. When told that students in our community have been planning fights and then posting them online, they were both surprised and disappointed.
Simply go to YouTube on any given day and key in terms such as Gtown Fights or CtK Fights or CtK against GDHS or any variation thereof. Some if not all of these titles may have been removed. This is due to our investigation and forewarning students with the help of our liaison officer.
Please be diligent in checking YouTube and other internet forums for our students engaging in planned fights. Our investigation revealed that alot of these fights are just for the joy of fighting. A few were over disagreements of which I am unable to divulge here.
We are taking a strong stance against this mode of engagement because we have a moral obligation to do so. As pointed out in a previous blog, we are well within our rights under the Education Act to consequence students for behaviour that is injurious to the moral tone of our school OFF OF SCHOOL PROPERTY.
We sent home warnings as partners in your children's education. We have a duty of care to ensure that our Catholic Learning Community prospers academically, emotionally, spiritually and physically.
Please contact my office if you become aware of fights that may take place or those that have been posted to the internet. Your assistance would help us greatly in our efforts to continue to promote, model and teach verbal conflict resolution skills.
Thanks for reading. Looking forward to your comments
You are right! There is no need to fight.
ReplyDeletedear mr pricipal sir.
ReplyDeletepeople have been fighting for thousands of years, its human nature.
want to know what canada isnt american ? because canadian soldiers fought to protect their homes and beliefs
want to know why all of europe isnt a fascist state because the allies fought for their freedom .
im going to end it there.
have a great weekend
I dont think the school should care so much about decisions made between two people off school property, who both agree to participate in the event. If someone is constantly scolding another talking about it doesn't always resolve the problem..
ReplyDeleteIts getting ridiculous how much schools are getting involved in students lives now. You cant do anything at school, in public, or even at home now without the school being right up your a** about it. IM sure that over half of the teachers that are enforcing these rules did them when they were younger. People get in fights, people have disagreements, and its not always solved over talking it out... im not saying that teenagers staging fights for fun and posting them on the internet is a good thing, but give these kids a break this is getting ridiculous, let them live their lives.
ReplyDeleteThe act of fighting between 2 individuals that have agreed to the fight is not illegal. If one of the combatants is not ok with engaging in the fight that is when a crime has been made and the attacker can be charged with assault. It is the same case between sex and rape. If there is consent then it is legal. If there is no consent then it is illegal. The fact that these fights are staged for the enjoyment of the fighters proves that there is in fact consent therefore there is no crime. The role of a police officer is to break up a fight if he/she witnesses it taking place to avoid injury to the fighters but if the fight has already taken place and it was indeed a fair fight with consent from both parties then there is simply nothing they can do. I say this because my child said in Mr. Harris' announcement on the PA system he stated that the fighters can be charged and that is a blatant lie to scare the students from fighting and thats wrong. Mr Harris also stated that a fight is public disturbance, that is true unless it is held on private property like a backyard, which is where my child said most of these fights take place.
ReplyDeleteThe fact of the matter is that with the emergence of MMA organizations such as UFC, Strikeforce, WEC etc. and the now well established world of pro boxing, fighting is as much a sport as hockey or football. The fact that the students are engaging in staged fights may be a blessing in disguise because it shows the transformation of fighting from a way to solve a problem to friendly competition. The fact that the fighters are wearing gloves and mouth guards and have refs is actually making fighting less of a problem not more of a problem. Its making it structured and less chaotic meaning it is being practiced as more of a sport then people trying to harm each other. Now you wouldn't suspended kids for playing road hockey would you ?
Dear Mr D.
ReplyDeleteInstead of wasting civies money on meaningless things like Summer Blast or whatever it`s called, and you make us pay $5 later on down the road just to play a couple of childish games and get 1 hotdog, 1 pop and 1 chip. You should invest in Boxing Equipment `WE` the students would enjoy so that we can engage in fun meaningful activity.
must say im not impressed with the way the school is constantly monitoring my children..
ReplyDeleteThis is getting ridiculous, the school is never going to run out of things to punish the kids for, no matter what we do we get a 10 minute annowncement rambling on about ridiculous things and why we should stop. its getting ridiculous give us some freedom
ReplyDeleteIf one of the combantants is injured, sustains brain trauma or looses a life the pro-fight comments will change dramatically.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that school administration takes the interest and effort to effect change in a dangerous activity is one of the reasons I send my children to a Catholic School
To turn a blind eye is to condone sensless violent behavior.
The combatants and viewers are teenagers, and as yet, still maturing. They do not fully understand the danger and culpability in their participation as fighters or viewers. The behaviour they choose to participate in at age 15 might never be logically consented to at 30.
I am grateful that you have made a statement and will take action in regards to students fighting on or off school grounds. It speaks to the commitment of CtK in the community. It is good to know that when push comes to shove Christ the King does not turn it's back on it's students and cares enough to act.
Our children are now self absorbed and feel an utter sense of entitlement. They defy rules with complete disregard for the consequences. They treat each other with disrespect, they treat teachers with disrespect. In many cases this staged fighting is another extention of wanting to prove they are invincible. Good for the school for getting involved.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful that the Staff of CTK keep on top of these type of situations. Condoning fighting is wrohg. The school has chosen to follow the difficult path. It would be easy to ignore this problem and say, "Oh well it doesn't happen here." To those who feel the fighting is ok, how would you feel if it was your child and they sustained a lifelong injury? Isn't it better to be proactive then reactive?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteDear Mr D.
Instead of wasting civies money on meaningless things like Summer Blast or whatever it`s called, and you make us pay $5 later on down the road just to play a couple of childish games and get 1 hotdog, 1 pop and 1 chip. You should invest in Boxing Equipment `WE` the students would enjoy so that we can engage in fun meaningful activity.
Have to say that this has nothing to do with Summer Blast, so your comment is irrelevant. A lot of people work hard on that event, and complaining about it is childish. If you can't spare the five dollars, keep it, and don't go. It's that simple.