To question the headteacher

[Bonnie7]

To try and be brief... my son was punched in the face at school by another child who he tried to help after the boy slipped over. Apparently the boy was embarrassed at falling over and took it out on my DS as he said DS giggled at him slipping over.
The headteacher was alerted to the incident by a dinner lady and my DS said he felt bad at giggling but had also rushed to help the boy when no-one else had. He said the punch in the face he received was a huge shock. He really cried about it at home and said it had really shaken him.
The headteacher commended DS (over the phone to me the next day) and said he was to be awarded with a assembly mention and award for honesty & kindness. I didn’t mention this to DS as I though the surprise would be lovely for him.
So on Friday afternoon driving home with my 3DS I asked if the day had gone well... imagine my shock to hear that not only had DS not been awarded anything (which is fine in itself, perhaps it will happen another week?) but the one person who did get an award was the boy who punched DS!! And the award was for... “setting a good example”!!!
What would you do/say to the headteacher?? Anything? Nothing?? I don’t want to make a fuss and am only worrying now with the school run to face in the morning! The headteacher usually stands at the gate welcoming the kids into school.
Further info... the school seems to constantly award the kids of parents who are always in the office, having issues, creating dramas etc. I tend to do the school run and donate to fundraising etc but not get involved in any drama...

I’d want an explanation for a child who punched mine receiving an award.

Although I wouldn’t expect mine to revive an award for kindness if he did indeed giggle at someone falling over.

5plus, they are children. They would laugh if you see someone slip. They don't instantly realise it could be serious. And OP's ds quickly realised he was wrong to laugh and went to help. I don't know if OP's ds deserve a reward or not, but the other boy shouldn't have received the reward the same week he punched someone on purpose.

I hope the head was useful. At my school, despite any other work the puncher had done that week, punching another pupil would have disqualified him from receiving it. But then we unfortunately have to be very hot on violence.

I'd ask the school why they decided to raise up the boy who had punched another in the face as an example of conduct to aspire to. I wouldn't mention the bollocks parental sop of we'll award your son. Teachers seem to be under the delusion that kids and parents give a crap about meaningless awards given to troublemakers who manage to not be hell raisers for five minutes one afternoon.

So out of order! Question the head!

Absolutely ludicrous! I'm a teacher, and can't believe the boy who punched your DS got a mention! What the hell? Definitely complain!

Regardless of whatever good deeds or work the little thug had done recently punching your DS in the face negates it all and to be rewarded for exemplary behaviour is insane. There is only one question required when HT rings you back 'Are you on glue?'.

Thanks again for all your messages. I spoke to the head yesterday afternoon, she knew nothing about the child receiving the award as she didn’t attend the celebration assembly that week! She mentioned being on an conference on the Monday/Tuesday and DS teacher being on an outward bound course so another teacher was in charge of the awards in both of their absences. It seems to DH and I that’s it’s a catalogue of errors!
For such a small school I can’t understand how all of the teachers aren’t made aware when one child punches another. We feel the communication between staff isn’t as it should be.
The head asked me for time to investigate the matter and will get back to me today.
The award for my son was for honesty and kindness - the head pointed out that DS in no way needed to admit he had giggled and she agreed that to giggle at someone slipping human nature, it’s slapstick comedy (and this is a class of 8/9yr olds) but he had redeemed himself by rushing to help when no one else had.

This is very dangerous situation for school. Children might have got the wrong message. Violence is ok if there's reason, or even forgiven and awarded if you do something good. I wonder how the HT rectify this.
Do let us know, OP.