Ban on nicknames at school branded pathetic
Tuesday 27th January 2009, 2:29PM GMT.
ST PETER Port Secondary School pupils have been banned from using nicknames on school grounds, according to one concerned parent.
Reports claim that head teacher Ken Wheeler (pictured) called all students into an assembly during which he addressed racism and nicknames after teachers discovered that some pupils were calling each other potentially upsetting names with racist overtones.
Dave Boscher, who has a son at the school, called the move ‘pathetic’.
He said he thought it was political correctness gone too far because the children in question had not been upset by the names and did not mind answering to them.
‘There were no overtones in it whatsoever,’ said Mr Boscher.
Mr Boscher had heard the ins and outs of the new school rule through reports from his son and said he would be very interested to hear the reasoning behind it.
‘We’ve all had nicknames,’ said Mr Boscher, ‘and for no nicknames to be spoken within school grounds, that is ridiculous.’
Mr Wheeler was not willing to confirm or deny that a ban on nicknames had taken place and declined to comment.
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What’s wrong with nicknames?
I’ve got one, I really don’t like jam so my hilarious friends gave me the name Marmalade. Even though this name has been a burden at times, especially during my long trips doing charity work in Africa and other countries where they have no word for a delicious zesty fruit preserves, on reflection my nickname has caused me no harm. Anyway Mr Wheely Bin is just upset that he hasn’t been given a decent nickname yet.
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Even more pathetic, if true, is “Mr Wheeler was not willing to confirm or deny that a ban on nicknames had taken place and declined to comment”.
Surely, he knows whether there is a ban or not.
I can understand him not wanting to comment, but refusing to confirm or deny!!!!
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No legal basis, perhaps that is why he is unwilling to confirm or deny!!
Cannot see how it could be effectively enforced. What evidence will be required? Please Miss X just called me by a name that differs from the one I am legally known as, how did you know he was calling you then?
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The nickname which has triggered this reaction could most definitely be construed as “racist”
“No legal basis” – of course there is if it’s deemed racist
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Collective punishment for the idiocy of one racial nickname is ridculous.
Guernsey Education needs a long hard look at itself. England is a failed nation; yet we slavishly follow their stupid laws and procedures in to the same oblivion. It’s high time we reassessed our engagement with their ‘education’ system.
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This is utterly insane. I actually wrote an article about this very problem this past weekend (www.commonfreeman.com). The political correctness we have today is far removed from when the term was first used (1960′s if anyone is interested).
Unfortunately we are at the point where we have people such as Mr Wheeler see racism in everything and everyone. This has lead to what I like to call ‘Passive Racism”. There may be no racist intent at all but that is the first thing they see because that is the first thing they think of.
The original philosophy behind the concept was to give every single man, woman and child a fair chance. What we have now has replaced those ideas with a different form of bigotry.
I would have a bit more respect for Mr Wheeler if he at least had the courage to stand behind his ideas. If you are going to push your ideals on to others you need to be prepared to defend them.
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Is this the thin end of the wedge perhaps, will it extend to cover states meeting, No more “Two thumbs” Trott then!!
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Won’t someone please think of the………..
Oh wait, hmmmm
OK names, had one at school, didn’t like it, was ‘You Boy!’ If this is actually bullying then boo to the Press for scribbling the wrong words in their shorthand notebook but if not then whatever, kids will be kids, and they’ll be cruel. Nothing is crueler than a group of kids, except that northerly wind a couple of weeks ago and my advocates bill. Advocates, watch out for their fees and their name calling children, they are double plus mean – sometimes.
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I and many of my friends had nicknames at school and have carried them all our lives. I like my nickname and would be most upset if someone was to tell my mates or family to stop using it. These interfering busybodys should get a life.
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Dan – If so, no problem in confirming or denying the report then!!
Who would charge who with what!!
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Its a tricky situation for the school, they are damned if they do and damned if they dont. They are forced to address the issue, the question is how…
In my opinion a total ban is going too far, the children should have been “advised” not to use them and if they do then do so appropriately in a non-derogatory sense and at their own discretion. They should also be made aware of the risks and consequences of their actions (which they may have indeed been). Similar to in the workforce where you can call colleagues nicknames but within reason.
The fact that the person being called names said it was okay is irrelevant as many victims of bullying will not speak out about the aggressor for fear of further bullying (I know i this is just speculation and i cannot read minds but the fact is that you never can really tell).
Anyway, i agree that the ban goes too far and a bit of relaxing and maybe education into racism, bullying etc and its consequences is in order.
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“Is this the thin end of the wedge”
I thinking giving people ‘wedges’ is also banned -along with the bumps and the most abusive playground game of all – ‘tig’.
Think of it, teaching children to run after each other and touch each other. Creating a nation of abusers I tell thee.
Idiotic social engineers.
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How wet can you get.
No nicknames, no rivalry, no jokes: pathetic.
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No Nicknames, HUH!!!
I had one at school and kept the same one for most of my life.
What will these anally retentive, low life, excreta for brains, soft, namby pamby idiots in big hard look at me suits come up with next (notice I omitted the swear words).
THIS IS PATHETIC
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This is what happens when people are promoted on the basis of their adherence to political correctness rather than on merit. He obviously doesn’t understand children, is divorced from reality, and doesn’t make educational excellence his first priority.
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Boo! Hiss! More PC fascism!!!
Even Trevor Phillips wouldn’t have gone that far!
Is it just me or is he mellowing in his old age? Or perhaps he’s come to realise that PC doesn’t actually work?
Time he woke up to that fact himself methinks!!!
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Although admittedly sometimes created to insult, nicknames are also a sign of light hearted affection between close friends. I am 33 now and still call some of my old school friends by their nicknames, I simply haven’t known them by any other.
If this new rule is true, it is disproportionate, like the proverbial sledgehammer to crack a nut.
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Yeah, a ban on nicknames is really going to stop them being used. Get real, Mr Wheeler.
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I think its absolubtly stupid we still call each other by our nicknames, i love mr wheeler he is my favourite teacher.
But he has gone to far here
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I quote “England is a failed nation” by Jackie. Well I’m a born and bred Guernsey girl and I moved to England nearly 2 years ago. In England I can afford to go to work part-time and have 2 happy children (I get help with my childcare payments in the form of tax credits). In Guernsey I had the option of living on income support and not being able to afford to go to work as the cost of childcare is so ridiculous and the States certainly won’t going to help me with my childcare. The education my eldest daughter is getting is far and beyond better than the school she went to in Guernsey (although I am not knocking the school she went to as it was a lovely school but not a patch on the one she goes to in England). So from my person opinion England is certainly not a failed nation.
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Funkybuddha I am concerned that the failed nation that England indeed most certainly IS does not actually have the money you so are so readily scrounging off it.
I find the notion that your are rating places where the benefit payouts are most generous insulting to my hard earned tax dollars.
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This is completely off topic but i feel compelled to reply to Captain Concerned on Funkybuddhas behalf.
Captain Concerned- if you re-read Funkybuddha’s comment you will see that she is definitely not scrounging off benefit payouts – it is actually the opposite. She is stating that because childcare is of greater accessibility and education is of a higher quality (where her children attend school) so therefore she is able to go out to work.
I find it insulting that because childcare in Guensey so inaccessible that even highly educated people are forced to live of my hard-earned tax dollars. Greater accessibility to childcare would encourage many people currently at home back to work. I personally know many people who were forced to give up work because of the ridiculous “part-time” reception and “go home for lunch” situation in Guernsey.
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Whilst I do have some sympathy for the lack of childcare facilities in Guernsey, I do think people are often too quick to expect the government to sort out their problems. Also, Captain C is totally right, we should NOT blindly follow England’s example – in anything!!
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Wil, bringing intellectual snobbery in again? ‘even highly educated people are forced……’ blah blah blah.
No-one is forced to do anything, people choose to have children and unfortunately also choose to fail to adequately provide for them.
Maybe in the real world, unlike your academic dreamland, a degree underwater yak wrestling isn’t as useful as you thought?
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OK Wil, if you re-read Funkybuffet’s comments and replace the words ‘tax credit’ with ‘hand out’ you might just understand what I’m saying.
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Geez Marmalade…….ZZZzzzzzzzzz
To clarify- even people who can otherwise easily find jobs find it hard….I was actually stating how difficult it would be for anyone…. and bringing light on a barrier to participation in the workforce.
The person who i was referring to was a school teacher who had to take a half year off work when her child started reception. She provides for her children very well. I dont think that i was being snobby by calling her educated. Talk about being seriously over-sensitive! perhaps i have hit a old sore spot? why the bitterness? I promise not to use the E word again, can i say “skilled” is that okay with you, or how about “experienced” is that okay?
Oh and yes I do have a degree in Underwater yak wrestling (with hons) and yes it has proved extremely useful. Love those yaks!
On topic- I agree with your statement about the nicknames!
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I think you may find the article was mis-reported and that actually the cause of the issue was a racist remark. Nicknames are generally ok; unwarranted racism is not.
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Kids are gunno grow up being ‘wet blankets’ with all this health and safety junk
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the nickname was not a racist remark at all!!
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I believe health and safety is a major part of our life, i have always appreciated my teachers helping me in social situations such as when i am being “bullied” by other pupils. I have been called “wet” and other insulting things by my peers but Mr.Wheeler has always been able to put a stop to these vile insults and thats why i think he is a great headteacher and i will support him all of the way!
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