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Original poster

Year 6 (11 year olds) torturing worms

135 replies

mollyminniemo · 30/01/2025 18:52

I know this may look like a rather bizarre thread but I need some other thoughts/ advice. My DS (11) who is a vegetarian and animal lover told me 4 of his friends yesterday stomped on a worm and killed it on purpose. DS was trying to save it on a sports field and they crowded round him to stop him getting a little stick to take it away and into soil away from all the kids. They kept preventing him from doing it and then crowded round and began stomping on the poor worm. Every time DS tried to get back in they’d (I don’t think with much force) use their hockey sticks to bat him away. They all took part in gleefully stamping on the poor worm “untill it was just mush”.
I’m horrified. What would you do?
I can speak to the boys myself as I come into the school at lunchtimes in the week. Or
message the parents? Ask the headmaster to discuss it in an assembly or with them individually?

OP posts:
Meraleine · 30/01/2025 18:59

They didn’t “tread” on it. They tortured it stamping on it taking turns on purpose.

it would have been dead with first stamp. This is unequivocally not torture.

This is how serial killers are made.

no it’s really not

Cluedoless · 30/01/2025 18:58

I think that's pretty horrible op. If I was one of their mums I'd want to know so I could teach my child about respect and empathy for all living beings.

I don't know what your job is at the school but I wouldn't use it to deal with something that concerns your child. I would tell the head or their teacher though. They don't have to punish rhe boys but maybe they can do a school or class assembly or a lesson on nit hurting other living beings for fun.

The flip side of this is thst you should be super proud of your son. It must have been upsetting for him but he sounds lovely.

My son is still very little but I hope when he's older he will be like your son!!

UtterlyOtterly · 30/01/2025 18:58

For those who think this is ok, where do you draw the line with animal cruelty?

Acceptable to stamp on a worm, but what about a butterfly? Ok to torture a bird? What about a kitten or puppy?

Iknewyouwerewaitingforme · 30/01/2025 18:57

Sadly it’s no wonder we have kids enjoying deliberately inflicting pain on fellow living creatures when they have parents, judging from some of the comments on here, who have not taught them love, compassion, empathy, kindness, respect for all living creatures. This is how serial killers are made.

19751974P · 30/01/2025 18:56

You should definitely report this to the school OP. Honestly surprised that some people are saying don't bother!

Animal / creature abuse is awful, whether that's a worm or cat or anything.

BottomWibblyWob · 30/01/2025 18:55

I don’t like stuff like this either OP. I don’t think the Head will do much, all you can do is teach your boy that his mindset is kind and you’re proud of him for not joining in.

Original poster
mollyminniemo · 30/01/2025 18:54

They didn’t “tread” on it. They tortured it stamping on it taking turns on purpose.

OP posts:
Greenlittecat · 30/01/2025 18:54

I was nervous reading the title but it sounds like they were just stomping on a worm? Not brilliant but definitely not "torture"

Meraleine · 30/01/2025 18:53

You want the head teacher to call in a group of pupils individually to discuss trading on a worm? Good luck

skilpadde · 30/01/2025 18:52

You cannot be serious, surely?