1 00:00:00,020 --> 00:00:02,460 (THEME MUSIC PLAYS) 2 00:00:18,300 --> 00:00:21,020 MUM: Why is that? I don't know. 3 00:00:25,740 --> 00:00:27,220 REPORTER: These children 4 00:00:27,220 --> 00:00:27,460 REPORTER: These children are now being referred to as 'school refusers', 5 00:00:27,460 --> 00:00:29,020 are now being referred to as 'school refusers', 6 00:00:29,020 --> 00:00:32,420 a perhaps crude term for kids in emotional stress 7 00:00:32,420 --> 00:00:32,700 a perhaps crude term who can't face being in the classroom. 8 00:00:32,700 --> 00:00:35,780 who can't face being in the classroom. 9 00:00:35,780 --> 00:00:38,700 It's honestly like a zoo. Like, that's how crazy it is. 10 00:00:38,700 --> 00:00:38,940 It's honestly like a zoo. And I just couldn't cope. 11 00:00:38,940 --> 00:00:41,180 And I just couldn't cope. 12 00:00:42,140 --> 00:00:44,380 ETHAN: I got bullied every day. 13 00:00:44,380 --> 00:00:44,620 My old school made me feel ETHAN: I got bullied every day. 14 00:00:44,620 --> 00:00:48,180 My old school made me feel like I was locked up in a cage. 15 00:00:48,180 --> 00:00:48,420 My old school made me feel It's become such a big issue 16 00:00:48,420 --> 00:00:49,740 It's become such a big issue 17 00:00:49,740 --> 00:00:51,620 that a parliamentary inquiry's underway 18 00:00:51,620 --> 00:00:51,900 to look at how to address that a parliamentary inquiry's the problem. underway 19 00:00:51,900 --> 00:00:53,420 to look at how to address the problem. 20 00:00:53,420 --> 00:00:55,780 Our children are not robots, they are people. 21 00:00:55,780 --> 00:00:56,060 Our children are not robots, Come on, mate. We have to try, mate. they are people. We try every day. 22 00:00:56,060 --> 00:01:00,420 Come on, mate. We have to try, mate. We try every day. 23 00:01:00,420 --> 00:01:02,180 Freddy, it's time to go. 24 00:01:02,180 --> 00:01:03,780 Come on, let's do it. 25 00:01:03,780 --> 00:01:04,020 Sausage, come on, Come on, let's do it. 26 00:01:04,020 --> 00:01:06,620 Sausage, come on, can you please hop out? 27 00:01:06,620 --> 00:01:06,860 Sausage, come on, We've really got the perfect storm - 28 00:01:06,860 --> 00:01:08,500 We've really got the perfect storm - 29 00:01:08,500 --> 00:01:12,540 adolescent mental-health issues on the rise, 30 00:01:12,540 --> 00:01:12,780 adolescent mental-health issues a teacher-workforce crisis 31 00:01:12,780 --> 00:01:14,500 a teacher-workforce crisis 32 00:01:14,500 --> 00:01:14,740 and we've just come out a teacher-workforce crisis 33 00:01:14,740 --> 00:01:17,860 and we've just come out of COVID lockdowns. 34 00:01:19,380 --> 00:01:21,780 HAYLEY: I had my parents coming, yelling at me, 35 00:01:21,780 --> 00:01:25,100 telling me that I'm lazy, I need to get out of bed. 36 00:01:25,100 --> 00:01:28,620 All of my energy was just focused on staying alive. 37 00:01:28,620 --> 00:01:32,460 What have we got here? Mention of suicidal ideation. 38 00:01:32,460 --> 00:01:35,180 Trigger warnings. Self-harm. Suicide. 39 00:01:35,180 --> 00:01:35,420 Trigger warnings. "Oh, they just need tough love." 40 00:01:35,420 --> 00:01:37,260 "Oh, they just need tough love." 41 00:01:37,260 --> 00:01:37,500 If that worked, "Oh, they just need tough love." 42 00:01:37,500 --> 00:01:40,060 If that worked, my child would be at school. 43 00:01:40,060 --> 00:01:40,300 If that worked, (GIGGLES, YELLS PLAYFULLY) 44 00:01:40,300 --> 00:01:41,940 (GIGGLES, YELLS PLAYFULLY) 45 00:01:41,940 --> 00:01:42,980 Argh! 46 00:01:42,980 --> 00:01:45,060 (SCREAMS PLAYFULLY) (LAUGHS) 47 00:01:45,060 --> 00:01:47,700 (SCREAMS) Oh, no. Fred. Fred... 48 00:01:47,700 --> 00:01:47,940 (SCREAMS) (SCREAMS) 49 00:01:47,940 --> 00:01:49,900 (SCREAMS) 50 00:01:49,900 --> 00:01:52,620 I'm sure that there will be people there saying to their TV, 51 00:01:52,620 --> 00:01:54,620 "That woman just needs to grow a backbone 52 00:01:54,620 --> 00:01:56,060 "and tell her kids what's what." 53 00:01:56,060 --> 00:01:58,660 Before it happened to me, I was one of those parents. 54 00:01:58,660 --> 00:02:00,140 Argh! (CHILD GIGGLES) 55 00:02:00,140 --> 00:02:05,020 It's not like I just want to live my life as a disappointment. 56 00:02:05,020 --> 00:02:06,540 Like, I love learning. 57 00:02:06,540 --> 00:02:09,460 Every child is worth something. 58 00:02:09,460 --> 00:02:12,220 We really need to address it 59 00:02:12,220 --> 00:02:17,860 before we lose a whole lot of kids from the education system. 60 00:02:24,620 --> 00:02:27,660 (CHATTER, LAUGHTER) 61 00:02:34,700 --> 00:02:38,620 (HUBBUB) 62 00:02:49,380 --> 00:02:51,660 MUM: Freddy, it's time to go now. 63 00:02:52,860 --> 00:02:55,980 Come on, mate, hop up, please. It's time to go. 64 00:02:55,980 --> 00:02:57,740 Frieda? 65 00:02:57,740 --> 00:02:59,260 Chicken? 66 00:03:00,220 --> 00:03:02,380 Hey, come on, darling. Please, hop up. 67 00:03:02,380 --> 00:03:04,660 Mate, it's time to go to school. 68 00:03:04,660 --> 00:03:07,140 It's a good day today to be at school. 69 00:03:07,140 --> 00:03:09,540 Mum, stop talking about school so much! 70 00:03:09,540 --> 00:03:09,780 Mum, stop talking about school so much! Ow! Ow! Please don't kick me! 71 00:03:09,780 --> 00:03:12,060 Ow! Ow! Please don't kick me! 72 00:03:13,140 --> 00:03:14,700 Oo-ah! 73 00:03:15,660 --> 00:03:17,860 You're like jelly today. 74 00:03:17,860 --> 00:03:19,260 Come on, darling. 75 00:03:19,260 --> 00:03:22,340 No. Let's go. Freddy. Come on, darling. 76 00:03:22,340 --> 00:03:22,580 No. Mate. 77 00:03:22,580 --> 00:03:24,140 Mate. 78 00:03:24,140 --> 00:03:27,020 We've got to get going, honey. Come on. 79 00:03:27,020 --> 00:03:30,500 We've had lots of time this morning to get ready. Now it's time to go. 80 00:03:30,500 --> 00:03:30,780 Try, alright? Can you bring your bag in case? We've had lots of time this morning to get ready. Now it's time to go. 81 00:03:30,780 --> 00:03:33,660 Try, alright? Can you bring your bag in case? 82 00:03:33,660 --> 00:03:33,900 Can you carry this one then, please? Can you bring your bag in case? 83 00:03:33,900 --> 00:03:35,700 Can you carry this one then, please? 84 00:03:35,700 --> 00:03:37,060 Freddy! 85 00:03:37,060 --> 00:03:39,260 Fred, come on, dude. 86 00:03:39,260 --> 00:03:41,780 Come on, mate. We have to try, mate. (SCHOOL BELL RINGS) 87 00:03:41,780 --> 00:03:42,020 Come on, mate. We have to try, mate. We try every day. 88 00:03:42,020 --> 00:03:43,620 We try every day. 89 00:03:43,620 --> 00:03:45,740 That's the deal. Come on. 90 00:03:45,740 --> 00:03:45,940 That's the deal. Come on. Let's go, please. 91 00:03:45,940 --> 00:03:47,540 Let's go, please. 92 00:03:47,540 --> 00:03:49,620 (GROANS) 93 00:03:49,620 --> 00:03:52,100 Freddy, come on. (MOANS) 94 00:03:52,100 --> 00:03:53,660 OK. 95 00:03:55,900 --> 00:03:57,940 OK, we're out of the car. 96 00:03:58,900 --> 00:04:01,100 Darling, what's going on? 97 00:04:01,100 --> 00:04:02,820 I can't do it. 98 00:04:04,740 --> 00:04:07,140 Why is that? I don't know. 99 00:04:08,540 --> 00:04:12,380 Fred! No! No, no, no! Mate, it's time to go up to school. 100 00:04:12,380 --> 00:04:12,620 Fred! No! No, no, no! Frieda! 101 00:04:12,620 --> 00:04:13,900 Frieda! 102 00:04:17,180 --> 00:04:18,780 Dude. 103 00:04:18,780 --> 00:04:19,020 Fred, please, Dude. 104 00:04:19,020 --> 00:04:20,540 Fred, please, don't take your shoes off. 105 00:04:20,540 --> 00:04:20,780 Fred, please, We're going up to the classroom. 106 00:04:20,780 --> 00:04:22,380 We're going up to the classroom. 107 00:04:23,580 --> 00:04:26,500 Honey, I need to go to work. 108 00:04:26,500 --> 00:04:28,260 Freddy. 109 00:04:28,260 --> 00:04:30,460 Can I just talk to you for a sec? 110 00:04:30,460 --> 00:04:32,420 (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) 111 00:04:32,420 --> 00:04:35,660 I feel like this is probably not going to happen today, is it, mate? 112 00:04:35,660 --> 00:04:36,420 No! 113 00:04:36,420 --> 00:04:39,220 Alright, well, let's go home, 114 00:04:39,220 --> 00:04:41,700 but I have to do some work for a while when I get home, OK, 115 00:04:41,700 --> 00:04:44,500 because it's really late, it's, like, 10 o'clock already. 116 00:04:46,660 --> 00:04:48,620 There's nothing I can do! 117 00:04:49,620 --> 00:04:51,820 Mum, I'm bored. 118 00:04:51,820 --> 00:04:53,260 I wish I could play with you, chicken, 119 00:04:53,260 --> 00:04:53,500 I wish I could play with you, but I just have to get this done. 120 00:04:53,500 --> 00:04:54,980 but I just have to get this done. 121 00:04:54,980 --> 00:04:57,940 There's other people waiting on my work. 122 00:04:57,940 --> 00:05:01,340 Hey, please, don't pull on my chair, mate. 123 00:05:01,340 --> 00:05:02,860 Come! I get a bit frustrated 124 00:05:02,860 --> 00:05:05,380 when you pull on my chair. So, I just have to do this, OK? 125 00:05:05,380 --> 00:05:07,140 I want to sit on your lap. 126 00:05:07,140 --> 00:05:08,500 Yeah. 127 00:05:08,500 --> 00:05:09,380 Hm! 128 00:05:09,380 --> 00:05:12,140 Hey, hey, hey. I need my mouse. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. 129 00:05:12,140 --> 00:05:14,820 Not fair! I need that to work, chicken. 130 00:05:14,820 --> 00:05:15,060 Not fair! (HUFFS) 131 00:05:15,060 --> 00:05:16,860 (HUFFS) 132 00:05:16,860 --> 00:05:19,500 (SNIFFLES) 133 00:05:19,500 --> 00:05:19,740 Ideally, I would be sitting down with her (SNIFFLES) 134 00:05:19,740 --> 00:05:21,300 Ideally, I would be sitting down with her 135 00:05:21,300 --> 00:05:21,540 Ideally, I would be and doing some educational stuff, 136 00:05:21,540 --> 00:05:23,420 and doing some educational stuff, 137 00:05:23,420 --> 00:05:25,900 but I don't have capacity to do that. 138 00:05:25,900 --> 00:05:29,860 So, she's basically left to her own devices, you know? 139 00:05:29,860 --> 00:05:32,900 I'm trying to keep my job here. 140 00:05:34,260 --> 00:05:37,460 I've thought a lot about having to do homeschooling with Fred, 141 00:05:37,460 --> 00:05:37,700 I've thought a lot about having but I can't afford to. 142 00:05:37,700 --> 00:05:39,260 but I can't afford to. 143 00:05:41,020 --> 00:05:43,500 It really... It started in kindergarten. 144 00:05:43,500 --> 00:05:48,060 Fred was having trouble, like, going into school. 145 00:05:48,060 --> 00:05:51,460 Some days we couldn't even get out of the house. 146 00:05:51,460 --> 00:05:54,660 Some days we would get as far as the footpath 147 00:05:54,660 --> 00:05:54,900 Some days we would get and then she couldn't go in. 148 00:05:54,900 --> 00:05:57,140 and then she couldn't go in. 149 00:05:58,060 --> 00:06:01,500 And then sometimes you would just run away, hey, Fred? 150 00:06:01,500 --> 00:06:02,420 And... 151 00:06:03,380 --> 00:06:08,020 ..one term she got down to, I think it was less than 20% attendance. 152 00:06:08,020 --> 00:06:10,980 It was very low. She was having a lot of trouble. 153 00:06:11,940 --> 00:06:16,340 Partly because Frieda masks her autism, 154 00:06:16,340 --> 00:06:18,580 she does appear like a model student in the classroom. 155 00:06:18,580 --> 00:06:21,780 But the days that she did end up staying at school, 156 00:06:21,780 --> 00:06:23,580 she would get home and just fall apart. 157 00:06:25,740 --> 00:06:26,860 In the early days 158 00:06:26,860 --> 00:06:29,620 I would drag her to the classroom door 159 00:06:29,620 --> 00:06:32,700 and then her teacher would literally drag her inside and shut the door 160 00:06:32,700 --> 00:06:32,940 and then her teacher would literally so she was trapped in there. 161 00:06:32,940 --> 00:06:34,900 so she was trapped in there. 162 00:06:34,900 --> 00:06:37,540 And I'm talking, like, a five-year-old child 163 00:06:37,540 --> 00:06:37,780 And I'm talking, like, being bodily pulled 164 00:06:37,780 --> 00:06:40,020 being bodily pulled 165 00:06:40,020 --> 00:06:41,700 by a full-grown adult 166 00:06:41,700 --> 00:06:44,100 and then separated from their parent 167 00:06:44,100 --> 00:06:45,580 with a door that's locked. 168 00:06:45,580 --> 00:06:49,500 And that traumatised her so much. 169 00:06:51,740 --> 00:06:54,020 Like, I'm ashamed of that. 170 00:06:54,020 --> 00:06:57,340 And I didn't know better. I didn't know any better. 171 00:06:59,180 --> 00:07:01,700 "Oh, they just need tough love." 172 00:07:01,700 --> 00:07:03,620 If that worked, 173 00:07:03,620 --> 00:07:05,580 my child would be at school. 174 00:07:06,540 --> 00:07:08,860 You try the reward charts, 175 00:07:08,860 --> 00:07:12,380 you try making home boring so they don't want to be here. 176 00:07:12,380 --> 00:07:16,620 None of the stuff that the experts say you should do works. 177 00:07:16,620 --> 00:07:16,860 None of the stuff that the experts Look, this is my crab. 178 00:07:16,860 --> 00:07:18,300 Look, this is my crab. 179 00:07:18,300 --> 00:07:20,540 Oh, now you're a crab like that. 180 00:07:20,540 --> 00:07:23,580 I haven't seen you do the crab dance for a while, actually. 181 00:07:24,620 --> 00:07:26,860 (LAUGHS) 182 00:07:26,860 --> 00:07:28,340 Oh, my God, kiddo. 183 00:07:28,340 --> 00:07:31,380 You make me laugh every single day. 184 00:07:31,380 --> 00:07:33,460 (LAUGHS) 185 00:07:36,020 --> 00:07:40,020 You see other families, their kids just happily going to school 186 00:07:40,020 --> 00:07:43,180 and getting to know each other at school drop-off and school pick-up, 187 00:07:43,180 --> 00:07:50,100 and you feel like you're just in this complete other world. 188 00:07:51,060 --> 00:07:56,220 That's a really lonely and confusing and shameful world 189 00:07:56,220 --> 00:07:57,980 because you assume that you're the problem 190 00:07:57,980 --> 00:08:00,060 because everyone tells you that you're the problem. 191 00:08:00,060 --> 00:08:03,820 And, Fred, you know, you said to me a few times, 192 00:08:03,820 --> 00:08:07,660 "I just don't know why it's so hard for me. 193 00:08:07,660 --> 00:08:10,540 "I wish it was easy for me like the other kids." 194 00:08:10,540 --> 00:08:12,340 And that's what you've said all along - 195 00:08:12,340 --> 00:08:13,980 "Not that I don't want to go to school, 196 00:08:13,980 --> 00:08:14,220 "Not that I don't want "I can't." 197 00:08:14,220 --> 00:08:15,700 "I can't." 198 00:08:17,100 --> 00:08:19,420 It's boring when I don't go to school 199 00:08:19,420 --> 00:08:19,660 It's boring and that's why I get a bit upset 200 00:08:19,660 --> 00:08:22,540 and that's why I get a bit upset 201 00:08:22,540 --> 00:08:24,580 when I usually don't make it to school 202 00:08:24,580 --> 00:08:24,820 when I usually don't make it to school 'cause I really want to, 203 00:08:24,820 --> 00:08:26,620 'cause I really want to, 204 00:08:26,620 --> 00:08:29,300 but somehow I don't know how to get there. 205 00:08:29,300 --> 00:08:29,540 but somehow Yeah. 206 00:08:29,540 --> 00:08:30,660 Yeah. 207 00:08:31,620 --> 00:08:36,580 The Department of Education talks all about inclusive education, 208 00:08:36,580 --> 00:08:39,100 every child's entitled to an education, 209 00:08:39,100 --> 00:08:42,180 but, you know, they don't seem to understand 210 00:08:42,180 --> 00:08:47,500 what autistic kids need, what ADHD kids need. 211 00:08:47,500 --> 00:08:49,340 We found that individual teachers are wonderful 212 00:08:49,340 --> 00:08:49,580 We found that individual teachers and they try really hard, 213 00:08:49,580 --> 00:08:50,980 and they try really hard, 214 00:08:50,980 --> 00:08:54,980 but schools, they seem to only really cater 215 00:08:54,980 --> 00:08:59,540 to this fairly narrow range of brains and kids, right? 216 00:08:59,540 --> 00:09:02,940 And that's a real shame. 217 00:09:04,180 --> 00:09:09,140 I would much rather her be well than be at school all the time. 218 00:09:09,140 --> 00:09:09,380 I would much rather her be well If her having perfect attendance, 219 00:09:09,380 --> 00:09:11,620 If her having perfect attendance, 220 00:09:11,620 --> 00:09:11,860 if the cost of that If her having perfect attendance, 221 00:09:11,860 --> 00:09:15,140 if the cost of that is her mental health, 222 00:09:15,140 --> 00:09:15,380 if the cost of that it's not worth it. 223 00:09:15,380 --> 00:09:17,180 it's not worth it. 224 00:09:17,180 --> 00:09:18,900 It just isn't worth it. 225 00:09:19,860 --> 00:09:22,900 (KIDS CHATTER AT PLAY) 226 00:09:38,820 --> 00:09:41,060 GLENN MELVIN: This might sound a little controversial, 227 00:09:41,060 --> 00:09:43,660 you might think I've got it round the wrong way, 228 00:09:43,660 --> 00:09:46,940 but why would kids bother coming to your school? 229 00:09:46,940 --> 00:09:50,700 In a time when attendance has really shot down... 230 00:09:50,700 --> 00:09:50,940 After COVID we've seen sort of In a time when attendance has really shot down... 231 00:09:50,940 --> 00:09:53,220 After COVID we've seen sort of 232 00:09:53,220 --> 00:09:55,980 rates really kicked down last year... 233 00:09:55,980 --> 00:09:56,260 rates really kicked down last year... When a school-attendance problem is emerging, 234 00:09:56,260 --> 00:09:58,940 When a school-attendance problem is emerging, 235 00:09:58,940 --> 00:10:01,900 we don't necessarily know what type it is. 236 00:10:01,900 --> 00:10:05,660 Maybe it's school refusal, maybe it's school withdrawal. 237 00:10:05,660 --> 00:10:05,940 We certainly know from young people we work with Maybe it's school refusal, maybe it's school withdrawal. 238 00:10:05,940 --> 00:10:09,060 We certainly know from young people we work with 239 00:10:09,060 --> 00:10:13,700 that they talk about the importance of belonging. 240 00:10:13,700 --> 00:10:13,980 that they talk about the importance of belonging. What we were finding is that more and more young people 241 00:10:13,980 --> 00:10:17,140 What we were finding is that more and more young people 242 00:10:17,140 --> 00:10:17,380 What we were finding weren't attending school, 243 00:10:17,380 --> 00:10:19,140 weren't attending school, 244 00:10:19,140 --> 00:10:19,340 and we were trying to work out why. weren't attending school, 245 00:10:19,340 --> 00:10:21,020 and we were trying to work out why. 246 00:10:21,020 --> 00:10:21,260 and we were trying to work out why. And it's not just an Australian problem, 247 00:10:21,260 --> 00:10:23,740 And it's not just an Australian problem, 248 00:10:23,740 --> 00:10:26,260 this is something that is happening internationally 249 00:10:26,260 --> 00:10:28,500 and it has been researched internationally. 250 00:10:28,500 --> 00:10:28,740 and it has been researched (LOUD CHATTER) 251 00:10:28,740 --> 00:10:32,540 (LOUD CHATTER) 252 00:10:40,620 --> 00:10:43,700 We really don't know how many children and teens in Australia 253 00:10:43,700 --> 00:10:43,940 We really don't know how many are refusing school, 254 00:10:43,940 --> 00:10:45,860 are refusing school, 255 00:10:45,860 --> 00:10:47,700 and there's been a lot of concern 256 00:10:47,700 --> 00:10:47,900 in the community and there's been a lot of concern 257 00:10:47,900 --> 00:10:48,940 in the community 258 00:10:48,940 --> 00:10:51,060 that rates have really skyrocketed 259 00:10:51,060 --> 00:10:52,180 since the pandemic. 260 00:10:52,180 --> 00:10:52,420 since the pandemic. Departments of Education don't routinely collect this data, 261 00:10:52,420 --> 00:10:56,180 Departments of Education don't routinely collect this data, 262 00:10:56,180 --> 00:10:57,660 but this is critical data. 263 00:10:57,660 --> 00:11:01,740 It might be that the problem is much larger than we expect. 264 00:11:20,700 --> 00:11:22,180 I sometimes think of it like 265 00:11:22,180 --> 00:11:22,420 school refusal I sometimes think of it like 266 00:11:22,420 --> 00:11:25,500 school refusal is a child waving a big flag. 267 00:11:25,500 --> 00:11:28,740 They're saying, "I'm not managing. I'm not coping." 268 00:11:28,740 --> 00:11:28,980 They're saying, "I'm not managing. And for some 269 00:11:28,980 --> 00:11:30,100 And for some 270 00:11:30,100 --> 00:11:33,940 their methods of showing their distress can be quite extreme. 271 00:11:33,940 --> 00:11:34,180 their methods of showing And I've worked with parents 272 00:11:34,180 --> 00:11:35,420 And I've worked with parents 273 00:11:35,420 --> 00:11:35,660 who've had knives pulled on them And I've worked with parents 274 00:11:35,660 --> 00:11:37,460 who've had knives pulled on them by their kids 275 00:11:37,460 --> 00:11:40,500 who are so desperate, so anxious in the morning 276 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:40,740 who are so desperate, to avoid going to school. 277 00:11:40,740 --> 00:11:42,620 to avoid going to school. 278 00:11:42,620 --> 00:11:44,140 The main reason kids miss school... 279 00:11:44,140 --> 00:11:44,380 This isn't isolated kids The main reason kids miss school... 280 00:11:44,380 --> 00:11:46,980 This isn't isolated kids here and there, 281 00:11:46,980 --> 00:11:49,980 it's in every school around Australia, 282 00:11:49,980 --> 00:11:53,180 from private schools, Catholic schools, public schools. 283 00:11:53,180 --> 00:11:53,420 from private schools, It's across the spectrum. 284 00:11:53,420 --> 00:11:54,980 It's across the spectrum. 285 00:12:06,620 --> 00:12:08,420 Keep going. 286 00:12:09,500 --> 00:12:11,260 Keep going. 287 00:12:15,540 --> 00:12:17,740 I could find it on my phone. 288 00:12:18,780 --> 00:12:20,580 Oh, there we go. Ah, there we go. 289 00:12:22,620 --> 00:12:26,500 So, there's 2,199 member requests waiting. 290 00:12:26,500 --> 00:12:26,740 So, there's 2,199 member requests Yeah. 291 00:12:26,740 --> 00:12:27,500 Yeah. 292 00:12:27,500 --> 00:12:30,740 What's the longest person who's been waiting? 293 00:12:30,740 --> 00:12:31,980 15 weeks. 294 00:12:31,980 --> 00:12:34,940 16 weeks! 16 weeks even. 295 00:12:34,940 --> 00:12:37,460 I feel a lot of pressure to let them in 296 00:12:37,460 --> 00:12:40,940 because, you know, there's some quite desperate parents in there 297 00:12:40,940 --> 00:12:42,780 that really need the support. 298 00:12:42,780 --> 00:12:45,380 We had lots of distressed posts coming through 299 00:12:45,380 --> 00:12:45,620 We had lots of distressed posts and lots of distressed parents. 300 00:12:45,620 --> 00:12:49,500 and lots of distressed parents. 301 00:12:49,500 --> 00:12:53,580 So much of what actually is underlying that parent frustration 302 00:12:53,580 --> 00:12:55,580 is, essentially, a lot of fear. 303 00:12:55,580 --> 00:12:57,740 I know, certainly in New South Wales, 304 00:12:57,740 --> 00:13:00,580 for us it was a feeling of almost desperation 305 00:13:00,580 --> 00:13:00,820 for us it was a feeling to get your child to go 306 00:13:00,820 --> 00:13:02,620 to get your child to go 307 00:13:02,620 --> 00:13:02,860 because you knew to get your child to go 308 00:13:02,860 --> 00:13:05,780 because you knew that it was actually a legal matter - 309 00:13:05,780 --> 00:13:09,500 "Oh, my God, it's the law. I'm going to get in big trouble." 310 00:13:21,180 --> 00:13:23,380 Mm. Amazing. 311 00:13:24,660 --> 00:13:26,700 Um... What have we got here? 312 00:13:26,700 --> 00:13:29,420 Mention of suicidal ideation. 313 00:13:29,420 --> 00:13:32,140 Trigger warning. Self-harm. Suicide. 314 00:13:32,140 --> 00:13:33,700 Heartbroken. 315 00:13:33,700 --> 00:13:36,180 Ooh, something to do with legal threats as well. 316 00:13:37,060 --> 00:13:39,300 It's just nonstop seven days a week. 317 00:13:39,300 --> 00:13:41,540 The posts come through where people are just feeling 318 00:13:41,540 --> 00:13:43,060 a real sense of urgency about 319 00:13:43,060 --> 00:13:45,620 "I've got to be at work and my child won't get out of bed. 320 00:13:45,620 --> 00:13:47,580 "He's saying he's feeling like ending his life. 321 00:13:47,580 --> 00:13:48,860 "Oh, my God, what do I do?" 322 00:13:50,260 --> 00:13:52,540 I just find it absurd 323 00:13:52,540 --> 00:13:54,900 that the greatest support that the community has out there 324 00:13:54,900 --> 00:13:56,140 for this kind of issue 325 00:13:56,140 --> 00:13:57,780 is a Facebook group. 326 00:13:57,780 --> 00:14:00,420 I just actually don't know how long we can sustain it 327 00:14:00,420 --> 00:14:04,380 because we all are carrying a huge personal load ourselves 328 00:14:04,380 --> 00:14:06,180 and we're working around the clock. 329 00:14:08,140 --> 00:14:10,380 And I know, certainly with my own experience, 330 00:14:10,380 --> 00:14:13,700 that it's not just the children that end up isolated, 331 00:14:13,700 --> 00:14:14,940 it's actually the parents as well 332 00:14:14,940 --> 00:14:18,860 because quite often you have to quit working to look after your child. 333 00:14:18,860 --> 00:14:22,100 So, all of a sudden your world gets very, very small. 334 00:14:22,100 --> 00:14:24,380 But to be able to step into this arena, 335 00:14:24,380 --> 00:14:25,620 where it's like, "Oh, my goodness, 336 00:14:25,620 --> 00:14:27,860 "there's thousands and thousands 337 00:14:27,860 --> 00:14:29,780 "of other people that are going through this," 338 00:14:29,780 --> 00:14:30,020 "of other people it's amazing. 339 00:14:30,020 --> 00:14:31,620 it's amazing. 340 00:14:31,620 --> 00:14:32,860 You alright, Jake? 341 00:14:34,220 --> 00:14:35,940 You OK? 342 00:14:44,940 --> 00:14:47,420 Can you read it for me as well? 343 00:14:47,420 --> 00:14:52,020 Um... (READS) "The background to the Gaza-Israel conflict." 344 00:14:52,020 --> 00:14:52,260 Um... (READS) "The background What are the religions involved? 345 00:14:52,260 --> 00:14:53,980 What are the religions involved? 346 00:14:53,980 --> 00:14:58,780 I'm pretty sure Jewish, Muslim and...what was the third one? 347 00:14:58,780 --> 00:15:00,500 They're the two main ones. Yeah. 348 00:15:00,500 --> 00:15:00,740 They're the two main ones. That's the Gaza Strip there. 349 00:15:00,740 --> 00:15:02,220 That's the Gaza Strip there. 350 00:15:02,220 --> 00:15:04,300 And you're going to start writing 351 00:15:04,300 --> 00:15:04,500 with your subheadings And you're going to start writing 352 00:15:04,500 --> 00:15:06,260 with your subheadings 353 00:15:06,260 --> 00:15:06,500 and eventually with your subheadings 354 00:15:06,500 --> 00:15:10,060 and eventually you're going to become diplomats 355 00:15:10,060 --> 00:15:15,460 and representing the two different groups that are mainly involved. 356 00:15:15,460 --> 00:15:19,220 So, I want best efforts with your writing... 357 00:15:19,220 --> 00:15:19,500 So, I want best efforts with your writing... William's reaction to having to go to school every day, 358 00:15:19,500 --> 00:15:23,020 William's reaction to having to go to school every day, 359 00:15:23,020 --> 00:15:24,660 it was so extreme. 360 00:15:24,660 --> 00:15:27,460 Lots and lots of crying, begging. 361 00:15:27,460 --> 00:15:31,980 His body would just shake like a terrified puppy. 362 00:15:31,980 --> 00:15:35,340 He would try and jump out of the car. 363 00:15:35,340 --> 00:15:39,820 He was putting himself in some very, very dangerous positions. 364 00:15:41,380 --> 00:15:43,820 Jake, on the other hand, he was more silent. 365 00:15:43,820 --> 00:15:46,940 Hiding the uniform, hiding the schoolbag. 366 00:15:46,940 --> 00:15:48,220 I remember... (CHUCKLES) ..at one point 367 00:15:48,220 --> 00:15:52,900 finding him trying to set his uniform actually on fire. 368 00:15:52,900 --> 00:15:55,420 I just could not believe that this was happening. 369 00:15:55,420 --> 00:15:59,420 Because I had wonderful memories from primary school 370 00:15:59,420 --> 00:16:00,980 and the sort of kid that, you know, 371 00:16:00,980 --> 00:16:02,820 I ended up being, like, school captain, 372 00:16:02,820 --> 00:16:03,060 I ended up being, like, and then going to high school 373 00:16:03,060 --> 00:16:04,420 and then going to high school 374 00:16:04,420 --> 00:16:07,060 and, I mean, I went to uni for nearly 10 years. 375 00:16:08,140 --> 00:16:10,620 You have all sorts of wild visions, like, "Oh, my God, 376 00:16:10,620 --> 00:16:13,740 "I'm going to end up with these adult sons living in my basement. 377 00:16:13,740 --> 00:16:16,860 "They're going to be gamers and on the dole for the rest of their life. 378 00:16:16,860 --> 00:16:18,700 "What's going to become of them?" 379 00:16:19,660 --> 00:16:22,660 Would you like a peanut butter sandwich or cheesy mac or something? 380 00:16:25,420 --> 00:16:31,380 William - he's autistic and has ADHD and huge anxiety. 381 00:16:31,380 --> 00:16:34,140 He's also tested as intellectually gifted. 382 00:16:34,140 --> 00:16:34,380 He's also tested So, he was a very bright child. 383 00:16:34,380 --> 00:16:36,620 So, he was a very bright child. 384 00:16:37,580 --> 00:16:40,500 From kindergarten it was already just, like, 385 00:16:40,500 --> 00:16:46,860 30 kids all in one classroom, one teacher screaming, the smells. 386 00:16:46,860 --> 00:16:49,100 In the bathrooms, like, it just is crazy. 387 00:16:49,100 --> 00:16:52,260 Like, people are just, like, vandalising it, 388 00:16:52,260 --> 00:16:53,740 like, throwing toilet paper everywhere. 389 00:16:53,740 --> 00:16:53,980 like, throwing toilet paper It's honestly like a zoo. 390 00:16:53,980 --> 00:16:55,380 It's honestly like a zoo. 391 00:16:55,380 --> 00:16:56,940 Like, that's how crazy it is. 392 00:16:56,940 --> 00:16:58,620 And I just couldn't cope. 393 00:16:58,620 --> 00:17:00,220 And I was just like, man, like... 394 00:17:00,220 --> 00:17:04,460 I honestly can't do this for 13 more years every day. 395 00:17:04,460 --> 00:17:04,700 I honestly can't do this I don't know how to explain, 396 00:17:04,700 --> 00:17:05,940 I don't know how to explain, 397 00:17:05,940 --> 00:17:08,420 but I'd put on, like, this fake personality 398 00:17:08,420 --> 00:17:11,740 where it looked like I was enjoying it and it looked like I was fine, 399 00:17:11,740 --> 00:17:14,500 but deep down inside, like, it was just physically draining 400 00:17:14,500 --> 00:17:17,220 and just mentally, like... I just hated it. 401 00:17:20,340 --> 00:17:23,980 Square, hexagon, quadrilateral, pentagon. 402 00:17:23,980 --> 00:17:27,620 Do you remember what the tool was that we used to measure angles? 403 00:17:27,620 --> 00:17:30,700 So, I guess it is somewhat a little bit lonely. 404 00:17:30,700 --> 00:17:34,380 I do respect school and, like, the whole social thing, but... 405 00:17:34,380 --> 00:17:38,580 If there was a school that, like, suited to my needs, and, like... 406 00:17:38,580 --> 00:17:39,900 ..I reckon I definitely could go back, 407 00:17:39,900 --> 00:17:43,420 but just, like, the way the school system is in, like, Australia, 408 00:17:43,420 --> 00:17:43,660 but just, like, the way the school it's just...I can't. 409 00:17:43,660 --> 00:17:44,700 it's just...I can't. 410 00:17:47,140 --> 00:17:49,140 Oh! 411 00:17:49,140 --> 00:17:50,580 (CHUCKLES) 412 00:17:50,580 --> 00:17:52,420 I'm not going out there now... 413 00:17:52,420 --> 00:17:54,900 We had tried everything at this stage. 414 00:17:54,900 --> 00:17:57,820 We had a psychiatrist on board, psychologist, OT, 415 00:17:57,820 --> 00:17:58,060 We had a psychiatrist on board, every professional under the sun. 416 00:17:58,060 --> 00:18:00,300 every professional under the sun. 417 00:18:00,300 --> 00:18:04,300 And the teachers at his school were so lovely. 418 00:18:04,300 --> 00:18:07,140 Like, everybody was trying their best. 419 00:18:07,140 --> 00:18:10,820 But still my son's attendance, it dropped to a certain point 420 00:18:10,820 --> 00:18:14,300 where it seemed like it must be out of the hands of the school. 421 00:18:14,300 --> 00:18:17,180 So, then the Department actually then handed us a letter 422 00:18:17,180 --> 00:18:17,420 So, then the Department threatening legal action. 423 00:18:17,420 --> 00:18:18,700 threatening legal action. 424 00:18:46,780 --> 00:18:49,420 So, in the end our hand was forced 425 00:18:49,420 --> 00:18:52,140 and we had to withdraw and start homeschooling. 426 00:18:52,140 --> 00:18:56,420 And this is something that we hear in the School Can't group 427 00:18:56,420 --> 00:18:57,340 all of the time, 428 00:18:57,340 --> 00:19:00,940 families feeling like they are kind of forced into homeschoolings. 429 00:19:00,940 --> 00:19:03,900 When I think about it, it really pisses me off, 430 00:19:03,900 --> 00:19:06,420 thinking, "Why should MY children be excluded?" 431 00:19:25,140 --> 00:19:27,620 SYMONE WHEATLEY-HEY: I'm always running behind on everything. 432 00:19:28,580 --> 00:19:31,060 There we go. Fred! 433 00:19:32,020 --> 00:19:34,260 What?! Breakfast! 434 00:19:34,260 --> 00:19:36,140 (MOANS) 435 00:19:36,140 --> 00:19:37,780 I'm giving you five minutes' warning 436 00:19:37,780 --> 00:19:38,020 that we're going to go to the park I'm giving you five minutes' warning 437 00:19:38,020 --> 00:19:41,180 that we're going to go to the park in five minutes. 438 00:19:41,180 --> 00:19:41,420 that we're going to go to the park Do you understand me? 439 00:19:41,420 --> 00:19:42,420 Do you understand me? 440 00:19:42,420 --> 00:19:45,020 Help, help, help, help. 441 00:19:45,020 --> 00:19:48,100 "Help, help, help," he says, while eating a waffle. 442 00:19:49,060 --> 00:19:51,580 Alright, get ready and then we're going. 443 00:19:53,180 --> 00:19:55,820 Laminate these and we'll take them with us 444 00:19:55,820 --> 00:19:57,420 and see if we have any luck. 445 00:19:57,420 --> 00:19:59,460 So, it's just a scavenger-hunt list 446 00:19:59,460 --> 00:20:01,700 and it'll be with their different senses. 447 00:20:01,700 --> 00:20:01,980 That covers, like, health, that covers ethics, and it'll be with their different senses. 448 00:20:01,980 --> 00:20:03,900 That covers, like, health, that covers ethics, 449 00:20:03,900 --> 00:20:05,460 that'll cover STEM. 450 00:20:05,460 --> 00:20:07,500 We'll be able to bring in literacy and numeracy. 451 00:20:07,500 --> 00:20:07,780 We'll be able to bring in literacy and numeracy. So, yeah, that's the plan for today. We'll see how we go. 452 00:20:07,780 --> 00:20:11,140 So, yeah, that's the plan for today. We'll see how we go. 453 00:20:11,140 --> 00:20:11,380 So, yeah, that's the plan for today. OK, that's the final thing. 454 00:20:11,380 --> 00:20:14,460 OK, that's the final thing. 455 00:20:15,660 --> 00:20:17,620 It's very, very child-led. 456 00:20:17,620 --> 00:20:20,340 For Henry, it's dinosaurs. He's really interested in them. 457 00:20:20,340 --> 00:20:23,100 So, I try and source dinosaur-themed activities. 458 00:20:23,100 --> 00:20:24,740 Whereas for Fred, 459 00:20:24,740 --> 00:20:27,420 he's really into insects at the moment. 460 00:20:28,540 --> 00:20:30,780 Fred, we're putting our sneakers on in one sec. 461 00:20:30,780 --> 00:20:32,220 Please, finish your level. 462 00:20:32,220 --> 00:20:33,500 A-h-h-h-h-h-h-h... 463 00:20:33,500 --> 00:20:34,980 Oh, I know. 464 00:20:34,980 --> 00:20:36,780 Mum! 465 00:20:36,780 --> 00:20:38,340 H? 466 00:20:38,340 --> 00:20:39,820 (GIGGLES, YELLS PLAYFULLY) 467 00:20:39,820 --> 00:20:40,980 Argh! 468 00:20:40,980 --> 00:20:43,060 (SCREAMS PLAYFULLY) (LAUGHS) 469 00:20:43,060 --> 00:20:47,060 (SCREAMS) Oh, no. Fred. Fred, stop. 470 00:20:47,060 --> 00:20:50,580 So, I have Henry, who is 10, 471 00:20:50,580 --> 00:20:52,980 and I have Freddie, who is six. 472 00:20:52,980 --> 00:20:55,420 A-a-a-a-a-a-gh! (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) 473 00:20:55,420 --> 00:20:55,660 A-a-a-a-a-a-gh! Ow! (SCREAMS) 474 00:20:55,660 --> 00:20:57,620 Ow! (SCREAMS) 475 00:20:57,620 --> 00:20:57,860 Argh! Ow! (SCREAMS) 476 00:20:57,860 --> 00:21:00,100 Argh! (GIGGLES) 477 00:21:00,100 --> 00:21:01,780 Right, let's go see what Henry needs. 478 00:21:01,780 --> 00:21:02,020 Right, let's go see Let's go. Off to the park. 479 00:21:02,020 --> 00:21:04,260 Let's go. Off to the park. 480 00:21:04,260 --> 00:21:08,100 Both of my kids are autistic and ADHD. 481 00:21:09,060 --> 00:21:11,700 Stop. Stop. Because he's on my back. 482 00:21:11,700 --> 00:21:13,740 Can I have... Stop. 483 00:21:13,740 --> 00:21:16,100 Let go. Let go. Walk ahead. 484 00:21:16,100 --> 00:21:17,220 Walk ahead. 485 00:21:17,220 --> 00:21:20,420 They are homeschooled children. 486 00:21:21,900 --> 00:21:25,620 Hey, guys, I think there's daycare kids on the flying fox. Hang on! 487 00:21:25,620 --> 00:21:31,540 And it is not something that any of us want to be doing. 488 00:21:31,540 --> 00:21:31,780 And it is not something So, guys, listen to a bird chirp. 489 00:21:31,780 --> 00:21:36,140 So, guys, listen to a bird chirp. 490 00:21:36,140 --> 00:21:38,860 OK? So, we've got to be silent when we listen for a bird chirp 491 00:21:38,860 --> 00:21:39,100 OK? So, we've got to be silent so we can tick that off. 492 00:21:39,100 --> 00:21:40,820 so we can tick that off. 493 00:21:40,820 --> 00:21:41,060 Tell me who... You heard one? so we can tick that off. 494 00:21:41,060 --> 00:21:42,940 Tell me who... You heard one? Yeah! 495 00:21:42,940 --> 00:21:46,020 OK. You can tick that section when we're off the swings. 496 00:21:46,020 --> 00:21:48,220 (BIRD TWITTERS) Oh, I heard it too, H. 497 00:21:48,220 --> 00:21:48,460 (BIRD TWITTERS) Your hearing's better than mine. 498 00:21:48,460 --> 00:21:50,260 Your hearing's better than mine. 499 00:21:50,260 --> 00:21:52,580 I was so reluctant and I still am. 500 00:21:52,580 --> 00:21:55,060 I don't like doing it. It's exhausting. 501 00:21:55,060 --> 00:21:56,820 I want to be at work. 502 00:21:56,820 --> 00:21:59,060 I want to be contributing to society. 503 00:21:59,060 --> 00:22:00,660 I want to be earning an income for my family. 504 00:22:00,660 --> 00:22:03,380 I want to be setting an example for my kids. 505 00:22:03,380 --> 00:22:05,900 It says 'tactile'. Do you know what 'tactile' means? 506 00:22:05,900 --> 00:22:08,660 And yet I don't have any other choice. 507 00:22:08,660 --> 00:22:10,380 There's nowhere for my children to go 508 00:22:10,380 --> 00:22:11,900 that I can drop them off in the morning 509 00:22:11,900 --> 00:22:14,820 and be confident that they will be OK when I pick them up. 510 00:22:14,820 --> 00:22:17,460 What is another opposite? Let's try and think of one. 511 00:22:18,420 --> 00:22:21,180 Look, I'd rather have a kid who is out of the school system 512 00:22:21,180 --> 00:22:23,700 and a kid that I'm having to homeschool 513 00:22:23,700 --> 00:22:25,740 than a kid who is no longer alive. 514 00:22:25,740 --> 00:22:27,940 And that was the point we were at. 515 00:22:27,940 --> 00:22:30,940 What's it off? Can you tell what kind of bird? 516 00:22:32,860 --> 00:22:34,580 That means you get it forever. 517 00:22:34,580 --> 00:22:34,820 That is about That means you get it forever. 518 00:22:34,820 --> 00:22:37,300 That is about all of the formal education 519 00:22:37,300 --> 00:22:39,180 that I'm able to get done with my kids 520 00:22:39,180 --> 00:22:39,420 that I'm able to get done on a day when it's not a great day. 521 00:22:39,420 --> 00:22:41,660 on a day when it's not a great day. 522 00:22:41,660 --> 00:22:45,060 And there are many, many, many days like today 523 00:22:45,060 --> 00:22:47,300 where what we get done is just the bare minimum. 524 00:22:47,300 --> 00:22:47,540 where what we get done And that's part of my worry. 525 00:22:47,540 --> 00:22:49,820 And that's part of my worry. 526 00:22:49,820 --> 00:22:52,580 It is nowhere near enough work that they're getting done. 527 00:22:52,580 --> 00:22:55,580 There is nowhere near enough learning going on. 528 00:22:55,580 --> 00:22:57,220 I'm thirsty! 529 00:22:57,220 --> 00:22:58,780 OK! 530 00:22:58,780 --> 00:23:02,380 And I really worry that, as they get older, the longer we homeschool, 531 00:23:02,380 --> 00:23:04,300 they're going to fall more and more behind. 532 00:23:04,300 --> 00:23:06,260 And then that's going to make it harder 533 00:23:06,260 --> 00:23:09,340 for them to re-transition back into the school system, 534 00:23:09,340 --> 00:23:09,580 for them to re-transition which has always been the goal. 535 00:23:09,580 --> 00:23:10,820 which has always been the goal. 536 00:23:10,820 --> 00:23:12,140 This has never been 537 00:23:12,140 --> 00:23:14,340 the, "We're gonna homeschool their whole school lives." 538 00:23:14,340 --> 00:23:17,220 It's always been an emergency for-now measure. 539 00:23:17,220 --> 00:23:17,460 It's always been It just doesn't seem to have an end. 540 00:23:17,460 --> 00:23:19,180 It just doesn't seem to have an end. 541 00:23:32,060 --> 00:23:36,340 That's Fred in his uniform at school. 542 00:23:36,340 --> 00:23:40,860 And, obviously, we can see, when Fred finds it hard at school, 543 00:23:40,860 --> 00:23:41,100 And, obviously, we can see, that's the sort of thing we get. 544 00:23:41,100 --> 00:23:42,780 that's the sort of thing we get. 545 00:23:42,780 --> 00:23:47,980 Poor Fred. Like, you can't suspend five-year-old kids. It's ridiculous. 546 00:23:47,980 --> 00:23:50,500 What on earth is that going to achieve? 547 00:23:50,500 --> 00:23:56,460 This was Henry the last year that he attended school. 548 00:23:56,460 --> 00:23:56,700 This was Henry the last year It's sad. 549 00:23:56,700 --> 00:23:57,700 It's sad. 550 00:23:57,700 --> 00:24:00,420 Probably the last school photo he'll ever be in. 551 00:24:02,020 --> 00:24:08,580 Henry has not been at school since June of 2021. 552 00:24:08,580 --> 00:24:08,820 Henry has not been at school Do you remember this? 553 00:24:08,820 --> 00:24:10,820 Do you remember this? 554 00:24:10,820 --> 00:24:12,500 I dropped him off at school one day 555 00:24:12,500 --> 00:24:15,620 and he just broke. 556 00:24:15,620 --> 00:24:15,860 He was clinging to me, and he just broke. 557 00:24:15,860 --> 00:24:19,260 He was clinging to me, he was refusing to go in. 558 00:24:19,260 --> 00:24:19,500 He was clinging to me, Science... 559 00:24:19,500 --> 00:24:20,540 Science... 560 00:24:20,540 --> 00:24:25,060 And his behaviour escalated to the point that it was unsafe. 561 00:24:25,060 --> 00:24:25,300 And his behaviour escalated He was in complete and utter crisis. 562 00:24:25,300 --> 00:24:27,780 He was in complete and utter crisis. 563 00:24:27,780 --> 00:24:29,300 Do you want to read it to me? 564 00:24:29,300 --> 00:24:31,300 There was no-one on the student services team 565 00:24:31,300 --> 00:24:34,140 who was there that day, so, no social worker, no youth worker, 566 00:24:34,140 --> 00:24:34,380 who was there that day, so, no case manager for Henry, 567 00:24:34,380 --> 00:24:35,540 no case manager for Henry, 568 00:24:35,540 --> 00:24:35,780 no school psychologist, no case manager for Henry, 569 00:24:35,780 --> 00:24:37,420 no school psychologist, no school counsellor. 570 00:24:37,420 --> 00:24:37,660 no school psychologist, There was no-one. 571 00:24:37,660 --> 00:24:39,300 There was no-one. 572 00:24:40,260 --> 00:24:41,460 River rapids. 573 00:24:41,460 --> 00:24:43,740 And he was removed by ambulance. 574 00:24:43,740 --> 00:24:46,220 And it was absolutely heartbreaking. 575 00:24:47,060 --> 00:24:48,460 Genius. 576 00:24:49,420 --> 00:24:50,780 Guys?! 577 00:24:50,780 --> 00:24:52,700 (YELLS INDISTINCTLY) 578 00:24:52,700 --> 00:24:56,780 So, when you put in your registration paperwork 579 00:24:56,780 --> 00:24:58,020 for home education, 580 00:24:58,020 --> 00:25:02,820 you get sent out this auto-reply email explaining, 581 00:25:02,820 --> 00:25:07,380 "Moderators are appointed to evaluate the educational program, 582 00:25:07,380 --> 00:25:11,020 "evaluate whether the student is making satisfactory progress." 583 00:25:11,020 --> 00:25:12,980 Ah, and here we go - "Concerns... 584 00:25:12,980 --> 00:25:14,940 "Section 53... 585 00:25:14,940 --> 00:25:18,780 "..provides for a cancellation of home education registration 586 00:25:18,780 --> 00:25:22,940 "if the child's educational progress is not satisfactory." 587 00:25:22,940 --> 00:25:23,940 (KNOCKS SOFTLY) 588 00:25:23,940 --> 00:25:25,020 What? 589 00:25:25,980 --> 00:25:26,980 What? 590 00:25:26,980 --> 00:25:27,220 Hey, we're going to do something What? 591 00:25:27,220 --> 00:25:29,540 Hey, we're going to do something for homeschool, 592 00:25:29,540 --> 00:25:32,540 so, have a think if you would like to read a book together 593 00:25:32,540 --> 00:25:35,460 or if you would like to do a science experiment. 594 00:25:35,460 --> 00:25:35,700 or if you would like to do Agree? 595 00:25:35,700 --> 00:25:36,780 Agree? 596 00:25:36,780 --> 00:25:38,380 N-o-o-o-o-o! 597 00:25:38,380 --> 00:25:39,500 But... 598 00:25:40,460 --> 00:25:41,660 OK... 599 00:25:41,660 --> 00:25:42,660 Help! 600 00:25:42,660 --> 00:25:44,820 A-h-h-h-h-h-h! 601 00:25:44,820 --> 00:25:46,300 Mate. 602 00:25:46,300 --> 00:25:49,780 Ow! Ow! Ow! OK! OK! 603 00:25:49,780 --> 00:25:51,820 I will come back and check... Help! Help! 604 00:25:51,820 --> 00:25:53,620 Would you like me to stay with you or go away? 605 00:25:53,620 --> 00:25:53,860 Would you like me to stay A-a-a-a-a-gh! 606 00:25:53,860 --> 00:25:55,460 A-a-a-a-a-gh! 607 00:25:57,620 --> 00:25:58,580 (PUFFS) 608 00:25:58,580 --> 00:26:00,420 So, that went well. 609 00:26:03,140 --> 00:26:07,420 It's been a difficult week because I put my formal paperwork in. 610 00:26:07,420 --> 00:26:08,900 Like, it wasn't that long ago. 611 00:26:08,900 --> 00:26:11,180 Yeah. And all of a sudden, 612 00:26:11,180 --> 00:26:14,260 like, this massive load of anxiety comes on. 613 00:26:14,260 --> 00:26:14,500 like, this massive load of anxiety Stop. OK? 614 00:26:14,500 --> 00:26:16,780 Stop. OK? 615 00:26:16,780 --> 00:26:17,020 Don't say the word 'homeschooling' Stop. OK? 616 00:26:17,020 --> 00:26:20,260 Don't say the word 'homeschooling' out loud this week. 617 00:26:20,260 --> 00:26:20,540 You have those moments when you go, "Oh, gosh, I haven't done anything, Don't say the word 'homeschooling' out loud this week. 618 00:26:20,540 --> 00:26:22,900 You have those moments when you go, "Oh, gosh, I haven't done anything, 619 00:26:22,900 --> 00:26:25,700 "I'm not teaching them, they're not learning." 620 00:26:25,700 --> 00:26:25,980 "I'm not teaching them, they're not learning." And now you've received a letter that says, 621 00:26:25,980 --> 00:26:29,700 And now you've received a letter that says, 622 00:26:29,700 --> 00:26:31,540 "If you don't do it right, 623 00:26:31,540 --> 00:26:33,020 "you're coming back here." 624 00:26:33,020 --> 00:26:34,900 And it also says, like, 625 00:26:34,900 --> 00:26:38,940 "You thought you got away. Look - fist is still here. 626 00:26:38,940 --> 00:26:40,980 "We can still control you." 627 00:26:40,980 --> 00:26:42,500 At the end of the day, 628 00:26:42,500 --> 00:26:43,980 you have plenty of evidence 629 00:26:43,980 --> 00:26:46,460 that shows you're doing the right thing for your kids. 630 00:26:46,460 --> 00:26:48,340 Thank you. Go and have a rest, 631 00:26:48,340 --> 00:26:48,580 Thank you. be with your beautiful kids, 632 00:26:48,580 --> 00:26:50,140 be with your beautiful kids, 633 00:26:50,140 --> 00:26:52,540 and I'll see you soon. 634 00:26:52,540 --> 00:26:54,740 (SIGHS HEAVILY) 635 00:26:58,780 --> 00:27:01,460 (CRIES) 636 00:27:09,820 --> 00:27:11,500 (QUIETLY) Oh, fuck. 637 00:27:11,500 --> 00:27:12,740 I'm so scared. 638 00:27:12,740 --> 00:27:15,460 Like, what if I fuck this up? 639 00:27:15,460 --> 00:27:18,500 (KIDS YELL AT PLAY) 640 00:27:19,860 --> 00:27:22,860 PENNY ALLMAN-PAYNE: I think it's fair to say that the education system 641 00:27:22,860 --> 00:27:23,100 PENNY ALLMAN-PAYNE: I think it's fair is in crisis. 642 00:27:23,100 --> 00:27:24,220 is in crisis. 643 00:27:24,220 --> 00:27:27,460 We've seen a consistent decline of student results. 644 00:27:27,460 --> 00:27:30,700 We're also seeing attendance rates go down. 645 00:27:30,700 --> 00:27:33,260 And we're seeing teachers leave the profession in droves. 646 00:27:33,260 --> 00:27:33,500 And we're seeing teachers And for many of them it's because 647 00:27:33,500 --> 00:27:35,380 And for many of them it's because 648 00:27:35,380 --> 00:27:38,620 you feel like you can't help the students in front of you. 649 00:27:48,540 --> 00:27:50,020 This is certainly an issue 650 00:27:50,020 --> 00:27:51,820 that's really close to my heart 651 00:27:51,820 --> 00:27:52,020 that's really close to my heart as a teacher of nearly 30 years. 652 00:27:52,020 --> 00:27:53,420 as a teacher of nearly 30 years. 653 00:27:53,420 --> 00:27:55,340 There will be some in society that will just say, 654 00:27:55,340 --> 00:27:55,620 "The kids just need a kick in the pants to get to school." There will be some in society that will just say, 655 00:27:55,620 --> 00:27:57,940 "The kids just need a kick in the pants to get to school." 656 00:27:57,940 --> 00:28:01,140 All the kicking in the pants isn't going to make any difference 657 00:28:01,140 --> 00:28:01,420 All the kicking in the pants isn't going to make any difference because the behaviour is out of the child's conscious control. 658 00:28:01,420 --> 00:28:04,980 because the behaviour is out of the child's conscious control. 659 00:28:04,980 --> 00:28:05,220 because the behaviour is out of the child's conscious control. There were times during the inquiry 660 00:28:05,220 --> 00:28:07,100 There were times during the inquiry 661 00:28:07,100 --> 00:28:07,340 that I found listening There were times during the inquiry 662 00:28:07,340 --> 00:28:11,140 that I found listening to the testimony really difficult. 663 00:28:11,140 --> 00:28:11,380 that I found listening (CRIES) to the testimony really difficult. 664 00:28:11,380 --> 00:28:12,620 (CRIES) 665 00:28:12,620 --> 00:28:15,380 Would you like us to take a minute? 666 00:28:15,380 --> 00:28:15,620 To know there are times when you've actually failed students Would you like us to take a minute? 667 00:28:15,620 --> 00:28:18,980 To know there are times when you've actually failed students 668 00:28:18,980 --> 00:28:19,260 To know there are times when you've actually failed students because you haven't had a fuller understanding of the issue... 669 00:28:19,260 --> 00:28:21,780 because you haven't had a fuller understanding of the issue... 670 00:28:21,780 --> 00:28:22,060 I think it's really difficult for a school education system because you haven't had a fuller understanding of the issue... 671 00:28:22,060 --> 00:28:25,500 I think it's really difficult for a school education system 672 00:28:25,500 --> 00:28:25,740 I think it's really difficult to understand that it causes trauma. 673 00:28:25,740 --> 00:28:28,380 to understand that it causes trauma. 674 00:28:28,380 --> 00:28:28,580 to understand that it causes trauma. Right or wrong, 675 00:28:28,580 --> 00:28:29,380 Right or wrong, 676 00:28:29,380 --> 00:28:29,620 and no-one intentionally Right or wrong, 677 00:28:29,620 --> 00:28:32,060 and no-one intentionally meant for that to happen, 678 00:28:32,060 --> 00:28:32,300 and no-one intentionally but it has occurred. 679 00:28:32,300 --> 00:28:33,340 but it has occurred. 680 00:28:33,340 --> 00:28:35,540 We heard today that one in four students 681 00:28:35,540 --> 00:28:38,060 has some sort of mental-health challenge. 682 00:28:38,060 --> 00:28:41,420 You know, increasingly our classrooms are becoming more and more complex. 683 00:28:41,420 --> 00:28:41,700 Meeting the needs of individual students You know, increasingly our classrooms are becoming more and more complex. 684 00:28:41,700 --> 00:28:43,660 Meeting the needs of individual students 685 00:28:43,660 --> 00:28:49,500 doesn't always have to be a complicated and expensive exercise. 686 00:28:49,500 --> 00:28:51,780 What's clear is that there is no consistency 687 00:28:51,780 --> 00:28:54,620 in how wellbeing and mental health is addressed 688 00:28:54,620 --> 00:28:56,620 in schools and within curriculums. 689 00:28:58,180 --> 00:29:01,580 We pretty much have a one-size-fits-all education system 690 00:29:01,580 --> 00:29:01,820 We pretty much have at the moment. 691 00:29:01,820 --> 00:29:02,660 at the moment. 692 00:29:02,660 --> 00:29:02,900 You know, at the moment. 693 00:29:02,900 --> 00:29:04,420 You know, this is the model of education 694 00:29:04,420 --> 00:29:04,660 You know, that we had over 100 years ago. 695 00:29:04,660 --> 00:29:06,900 that we had over 100 years ago. 696 00:29:06,900 --> 00:29:09,100 The world is very different now. 697 00:29:09,100 --> 00:29:10,980 Young people are very different now. 698 00:29:10,980 --> 00:29:11,220 And, so, as long as we continue Young people are very different now. 699 00:29:11,220 --> 00:29:15,580 And, so, as long as we continue to do education the way we are, 700 00:29:15,580 --> 00:29:19,460 large numbers of students just sitting at desks in classrooms, 701 00:29:19,460 --> 00:29:22,940 I think we're only going to see this problem increase. 702 00:29:47,820 --> 00:29:51,380 The good news is that we know that there ARE things that work. 703 00:29:51,380 --> 00:29:51,620 The good news is that we know Early intervention. 704 00:29:51,620 --> 00:29:52,780 Early intervention. 705 00:29:52,780 --> 00:29:54,300 Smaller class sizes. 706 00:29:54,300 --> 00:29:56,700 Flexible campuses. 707 00:29:56,700 --> 00:29:58,140 Interest-led learning. 708 00:29:58,140 --> 00:29:59,660 All of these things work 709 00:29:59,660 --> 00:30:03,140 to engage young people and get them back in to education. 710 00:30:03,140 --> 00:30:03,380 (BIRDS SQUAWK) to engage young people and get them back in to education. 711 00:30:03,380 --> 00:30:07,180 (BIRDS SQUAWK) 712 00:30:14,700 --> 00:30:18,260 Morning, Jack! How are you feeling?! It's great to see you! 713 00:30:18,260 --> 00:30:18,500 Morning, Jack! How are you feeling?! It's great to see you! Thanks for coming to school! 714 00:30:18,500 --> 00:30:20,420 Thanks for coming to school! 715 00:30:20,420 --> 00:30:22,180 Good to see you. 716 00:30:22,180 --> 00:30:23,460 Good morning, Harley! 717 00:30:23,460 --> 00:30:25,860 Great to see you, mate! 718 00:30:25,860 --> 00:30:27,620 Alright, let you in. 719 00:30:27,620 --> 00:30:30,300 Oh, you've got a new backpack! 720 00:30:31,260 --> 00:30:33,780 Is Matty there to open the gate for you?! 721 00:30:38,860 --> 00:30:41,980 Morning, Fan! Morning, Daniel! 722 00:30:41,980 --> 00:30:42,220 Welcome to school! Morning, Fan! Morning, Daniel! 723 00:30:42,220 --> 00:30:43,980 Welcome to school! Thanks for coming in! 724 00:30:43,980 --> 00:30:45,620 Morning! Hi, Jack! 725 00:30:45,620 --> 00:30:47,340 Morning, Jack. Lovely to see you, mate. 726 00:30:47,340 --> 00:30:47,580 Morning, Jack. Thanks for coming to school. 727 00:30:47,580 --> 00:30:49,060 Thanks for coming to school. 728 00:30:50,020 --> 00:30:51,460 Oh, here comes Ethan. 729 00:30:51,460 --> 00:30:53,180 Oh, Ethan's just walking up. Here comes Ethan! 730 00:30:55,100 --> 00:30:56,780 Good morning, Ethan! Good morning. 731 00:30:56,780 --> 00:30:57,020 Good morning, Ethan! So good to see you, mate! 732 00:30:57,020 --> 00:30:58,620 So good to see you, mate! 733 00:30:58,620 --> 00:31:00,380 Yeah. Looking forward to school? 734 00:31:00,380 --> 00:31:02,900 Yeah. Yeah? 735 00:31:02,900 --> 00:31:08,540 I've worked in alternative education for about 12 years. 736 00:31:08,540 --> 00:31:08,820 I mean, I'm just deeply, deeply passionate I've worked in alternative education for about 12 years. 737 00:31:08,820 --> 00:31:11,980 I mean, I'm just deeply, deeply passionate 738 00:31:11,980 --> 00:31:14,900 about ensuring that every single child has access to an education. 739 00:31:14,900 --> 00:31:15,140 about ensuring that every single child has access to an education. Alright, we'll go this way. 740 00:31:15,140 --> 00:31:17,420 Alright, we'll go this way. 741 00:31:18,340 --> 00:31:20,940 We have 80 students enrolled. 742 00:31:20,940 --> 00:31:22,700 We only have eight students per class. 743 00:31:22,700 --> 00:31:26,780 So, we're incredibly lucky in terms of how we're resourced. 744 00:31:26,780 --> 00:31:29,500 Alrighty! Good morning, Matty! How are you feeling? 745 00:31:29,500 --> 00:31:31,180 And we do have a waitlist at the moment. 746 00:31:31,180 --> 00:31:34,220 It is very large. Up to about 100 on the waitlist. 747 00:31:34,220 --> 00:31:34,460 It is very large. (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 748 00:31:34,460 --> 00:31:37,020 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 749 00:31:38,940 --> 00:31:41,180 Because what we do, I think, first and foremost 750 00:31:41,180 --> 00:31:43,860 is create an environment of physical and emotional safety, 751 00:31:43,860 --> 00:31:46,780 which really enables them to create the building blocks 752 00:31:46,780 --> 00:31:49,380 that they need to succeed academically. 753 00:31:49,380 --> 00:31:52,260 And no child can learn if they don't feel safe. 754 00:31:52,260 --> 00:31:54,980 TEACHER: So, what sound are we listening for? 755 00:31:54,980 --> 00:31:56,300 STUDENT: A. A. 756 00:31:56,300 --> 00:31:56,540 STUDENT: A. R-ai-n. 757 00:31:56,540 --> 00:31:58,780 R-ai-n. 758 00:31:58,780 --> 00:32:00,420 Rain. 759 00:32:00,420 --> 00:32:03,180 Who would like to come and do that? 760 00:32:03,180 --> 00:32:06,260 Ethan, can you come and point to the sound? 761 00:32:08,300 --> 00:32:09,500 A. That's right. 762 00:32:09,500 --> 00:32:09,740 A. One sound. Good job. 763 00:32:09,740 --> 00:32:12,300 One sound. Good job. 764 00:32:12,300 --> 00:32:15,260 Everyone say the sounds as you write them. 765 00:32:15,260 --> 00:32:15,500 Everyone say the sounds When Ethan first started 766 00:32:15,500 --> 00:32:17,300 When Ethan first started 767 00:32:17,300 --> 00:32:18,580 he was quite low 768 00:32:18,580 --> 00:32:20,540 in all areas of the curriculum. 769 00:32:20,540 --> 00:32:20,780 in all areas You know, he couldn't read. 770 00:32:20,780 --> 00:32:22,260 You know, he couldn't read. 771 00:32:22,260 --> 00:32:24,980 You know, quite low in Maths as well. 772 00:32:24,980 --> 00:32:30,420 ALL: M-ay. May. W-ait. Wait. 773 00:32:30,420 --> 00:32:33,260 You are quick, this morning, Eth. Good boy. 774 00:32:33,260 --> 00:32:33,500 You are quick, this morning, Eth. TEACHER: He was afraid of work. 775 00:32:33,500 --> 00:32:35,740 TEACHER: He was afraid of work. 776 00:32:35,740 --> 00:32:37,500 There was a fear of failure. 777 00:32:37,500 --> 00:32:37,740 And that's actually common There was a fear of failure. 778 00:32:37,740 --> 00:32:39,980 And that's actually common amongst many of our children 779 00:32:39,980 --> 00:32:40,260 because they've experienced so much failure. And that's actually common amongst many of our children 780 00:32:40,260 --> 00:32:42,580 because they've experienced so much failure. 781 00:32:43,340 --> 00:32:45,460 He would literally beat himself up. 782 00:32:45,460 --> 00:32:47,700 He would bite or pull his hair 783 00:32:47,700 --> 00:32:49,660 and he would say, "I'm so dumb." 784 00:32:49,660 --> 00:32:52,060 That's the thing that upset him most 785 00:32:52,060 --> 00:32:54,620 was that he thought he was stupid. 786 00:32:54,620 --> 00:32:54,860 Eth, can you collect these for me, was that he thought he was stupid. 787 00:32:54,860 --> 00:32:58,060 Eth, can you collect these for me, please, darling? 788 00:32:59,660 --> 00:33:02,660 Alright, excellent. Let's go! 789 00:33:03,620 --> 00:33:06,060 Our goal is for them to be able to transition 790 00:33:06,060 --> 00:33:06,300 Our goal is for them back into a mainstream school, 791 00:33:06,300 --> 00:33:08,660 back into a mainstream school, 792 00:33:08,660 --> 00:33:12,620 and we'll help him go down that path. 793 00:33:18,340 --> 00:33:19,860 Can I have a go? 794 00:33:20,820 --> 00:33:22,460 Bu-kaw! 795 00:33:22,460 --> 00:33:24,980 I just patted a chicken! 796 00:33:24,980 --> 00:33:25,220 ETHAN'S MUM: Ethan's attendance I just patted a chicken! 797 00:33:25,220 --> 00:33:28,460 ETHAN'S MUM: Ethan's attendance attending mainstream school 798 00:33:28,460 --> 00:33:28,700 ETHAN'S MUM: Ethan's attendance wasn't great. 799 00:33:28,700 --> 00:33:30,260 wasn't great. 800 00:33:30,260 --> 00:33:32,060 The struggle started from grade prep. 801 00:33:32,060 --> 00:33:32,300 The struggle started I actually went in one day 802 00:33:32,300 --> 00:33:33,860 I actually went in one day 803 00:33:33,860 --> 00:33:34,100 and observed I actually went in one day 804 00:33:34,100 --> 00:33:37,580 and observed what was happening in the classroom 805 00:33:37,580 --> 00:33:37,860 and I was just shocked with how he was treated from the others. and observed what was happening in the classroom 806 00:33:37,860 --> 00:33:43,980 and I was just shocked with how he was treated from the others. 807 00:33:45,420 --> 00:33:48,660 He was kind of pushed to the side. 808 00:33:48,660 --> 00:33:48,900 So, instead of sitting there He was kind of pushed to the side. 809 00:33:48,900 --> 00:33:52,820 So, instead of sitting there and writing a sentence 810 00:33:52,820 --> 00:33:53,060 So, instead of sitting there like the other children were doing, 811 00:33:53,060 --> 00:33:54,500 like the other children were doing, 812 00:33:54,500 --> 00:33:56,980 they just said, "Oh, just draw a picture." 813 00:33:56,980 --> 00:34:01,020 It pushed him further and further away from being able to learn. 814 00:34:01,020 --> 00:34:02,380 Good job, Seb. You can do a bit more. 815 00:34:02,380 --> 00:34:04,900 He was becoming more and more disengaged. 816 00:34:04,900 --> 00:34:07,340 So, he would go around, he would kick windows, 817 00:34:07,340 --> 00:34:10,220 he would break things, he would throw things. 818 00:34:10,220 --> 00:34:13,580 There were times where he even threatened to harm himself 819 00:34:13,580 --> 00:34:13,820 There were times where he even because he didn't want to be there, 820 00:34:13,820 --> 00:34:15,060 because he didn't want to be there, 821 00:34:15,060 --> 00:34:18,020 he didn't want to be around that environment anymore. 822 00:34:18,020 --> 00:34:18,260 I refused to go to my old school he didn't want to be around that environment anymore. 823 00:34:18,260 --> 00:34:20,420 I refused to go to my old school 824 00:34:20,420 --> 00:34:23,100 because it wasn't safe for me. 825 00:34:23,100 --> 00:34:23,300 because it wasn't safe for me. I got bullied every day. 826 00:34:23,300 --> 00:34:25,180 I got bullied every day. 827 00:34:25,180 --> 00:34:30,140 My old school made me feel like I was locked up in a cage. 828 00:34:30,140 --> 00:34:32,180 You know how I used to say to you... Yeah. 829 00:34:32,180 --> 00:34:35,300 ..that everyone has to go to school when you used to fight back a lot? 830 00:34:35,300 --> 00:34:35,540 ..that everyone has to go to school Yeah. 831 00:34:35,540 --> 00:34:36,300 Yeah. 832 00:34:36,300 --> 00:34:39,220 And you used to say, "I don't want to go. I don't want to go." 833 00:34:39,220 --> 00:34:42,540 And then after COVID it became harder, didn't it? 834 00:34:42,540 --> 00:34:42,780 And then after COVID Yeah. 835 00:34:42,780 --> 00:34:43,820 Yeah. 836 00:34:43,820 --> 00:34:45,100 So, then it got to a point 837 00:34:45,100 --> 00:34:47,820 where he was kind of, I suppose, 838 00:34:47,820 --> 00:34:51,580 put in the too-hard basket in a sense, and... 839 00:34:52,860 --> 00:34:55,660 ..they said, "Well, we don't know what else to do." 840 00:34:57,820 --> 00:35:00,580 I was really scared for his future. 841 00:35:00,580 --> 00:35:05,100 You always imagine what your child can be when they get older, 842 00:35:05,100 --> 00:35:07,340 and I was kind of at a point where I don't know where 843 00:35:07,340 --> 00:35:09,620 he's going to be. (ETHAN WHISPERS) 844 00:35:09,620 --> 00:35:11,860 How did you feel about going down the wrong path? 845 00:35:11,860 --> 00:35:15,620 I felt like I wouldn't actually get a job when I get older. 846 00:35:15,620 --> 00:35:18,340 I would be homeless, sleeping on the side of the road. 847 00:35:19,300 --> 00:35:20,620 That's all. 848 00:35:20,620 --> 00:35:22,140 What about now how do you feel? 849 00:35:22,140 --> 00:35:22,380 I feel like I got hope. What about now how do you feel? 850 00:35:22,380 --> 00:35:26,140 I feel like I got hope. I got more hope in myself. 851 00:35:30,180 --> 00:35:33,100 (KIDS CHATTER AT PLAY) 852 00:35:37,100 --> 00:35:38,780 The mainstream schooling system 853 00:35:38,780 --> 00:35:42,980 just isn't designed to meet the needs of diverse children and young people. 854 00:35:42,980 --> 00:35:46,740 And then how a student interprets that is "They don't want me here." 855 00:35:47,700 --> 00:35:50,820 And, so, it sort of starts this cycle, I guess, of disengagement. 856 00:35:51,780 --> 00:35:55,820 Then their risk of other pathways increases significantly. 857 00:35:56,780 --> 00:35:59,260 Their risk of ending up in youth justice 858 00:35:59,260 --> 00:36:00,900 with significant mental-health challenges. 859 00:36:00,900 --> 00:36:04,620 And there's research to show that the cost of that 860 00:36:04,620 --> 00:36:08,620 is far greater than the cost of just investing in a child's education, 861 00:36:08,620 --> 00:36:11,820 even if it does cost more than the average student. 862 00:36:11,820 --> 00:36:12,060 even if it does cost more (BANGING OUTSIDE) 863 00:36:12,060 --> 00:36:14,100 (BANGING OUTSIDE) 864 00:36:14,100 --> 00:36:16,140 I might need to go deal with that, Sascha. 865 00:36:19,300 --> 00:36:21,580 If he goes, he'll really go, so, I might move you. 866 00:36:21,580 --> 00:36:23,140 Have we locked the front door? Mm-hm. 867 00:36:23,140 --> 00:36:23,380 Have we locked the front door? OK, cool. 868 00:36:23,380 --> 00:36:24,580 OK, cool. 869 00:36:24,580 --> 00:36:28,060 Maybe just come out here because we might break a window. 870 00:36:28,060 --> 00:36:30,740 I would love to just go out there and give him a really big hug 871 00:36:30,740 --> 00:36:33,540 because sometimes what they're telling us they need in those moments 872 00:36:33,540 --> 00:36:33,780 because sometimes what they're is just a little bit of extra care. 873 00:36:33,780 --> 00:36:36,060 is just a little bit of extra care. 874 00:36:37,100 --> 00:36:38,740 No matter what students do, 875 00:36:38,740 --> 00:36:42,180 we know that's not a representation of who they are. 876 00:36:42,180 --> 00:36:42,420 we know that's not a representation ETHAN: Hi. 877 00:36:42,420 --> 00:36:43,460 ETHAN: Hi. 878 00:36:43,460 --> 00:36:45,340 TEACHER: Hi! Hi. 879 00:36:45,340 --> 00:36:46,660 How are you? Good, thanks. 880 00:36:46,660 --> 00:36:46,900 How are you? Billie's very excited to see you. 881 00:36:46,900 --> 00:36:48,940 Billie's very excited to see you. 882 00:36:48,940 --> 00:36:51,700 Is she nice and soft? Yeah. 883 00:36:51,700 --> 00:36:55,300 So, dogs can't tell us with their words how they're feeling. 884 00:36:55,300 --> 00:36:57,700 They can tell us more with their body. 885 00:36:57,700 --> 00:36:57,940 They can tell us more ETHAN'S MUM: 'No Child Left Behind' 886 00:36:57,940 --> 00:36:59,180 ETHAN'S MUM: 'No Child Left Behind' 887 00:36:59,180 --> 00:37:01,300 is definitely not a reality, I wouldn't say, 888 00:37:01,300 --> 00:37:01,540 is definitely not a reality, because Ethan was left behind. 889 00:37:01,540 --> 00:37:03,780 because Ethan was left behind. 890 00:37:03,780 --> 00:37:05,740 Billie, shake. 891 00:37:08,140 --> 00:37:10,340 Ethan, you know, when he came here, 892 00:37:10,340 --> 00:37:13,860 he couldn't read, couldn't write, couldn't do anything, 893 00:37:13,860 --> 00:37:15,060 and now... I couldn't even spell my name! 894 00:37:15,060 --> 00:37:15,300 and now... Couldn't even spell your name. 895 00:37:15,300 --> 00:37:16,620 Couldn't even spell your name. 896 00:37:16,620 --> 00:37:21,140 But now he's taking on board the learning that he has 897 00:37:21,140 --> 00:37:26,260 to the point where he can go back to mainstream school next year. 898 00:37:26,260 --> 00:37:28,140 I'm proud of myself. 899 00:37:28,140 --> 00:37:31,060 Every child is worth something. 900 00:37:31,060 --> 00:37:34,340 And they will bring that to society when they get older. 901 00:37:34,340 --> 00:37:36,700 I mean, goodness knows what would've happened, 902 00:37:36,700 --> 00:37:39,100 you know, if Ethan had not come here. 903 00:37:50,180 --> 00:37:52,540 I have the urge to just scream into it. 904 00:37:52,540 --> 00:37:55,860 Why would you do that? That is so weird. 905 00:37:55,860 --> 00:37:57,900 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 906 00:37:58,980 --> 00:38:01,220 Morning! How are you going? Hi. 907 00:38:01,220 --> 00:38:03,460 So good. Loving life. 908 00:38:03,460 --> 00:38:03,660 So good. Loving life. It's a wonderful day. 909 00:38:03,660 --> 00:38:05,260 It's a wonderful day. 910 00:38:05,260 --> 00:38:07,180 100%. 100% 911 00:38:07,180 --> 00:38:07,420 100%. 110%, actually. 912 00:38:07,420 --> 00:38:09,460 110%, actually. 913 00:38:16,380 --> 00:38:18,060 Hi, Christopher. 914 00:38:18,060 --> 00:38:20,460 Morning, honey buns! 915 00:38:20,460 --> 00:38:24,500 Hayley, would you like to bring your daily planner and a pen? 916 00:38:27,900 --> 00:38:29,660 Alright. Welcome. 917 00:38:29,660 --> 00:38:31,820 And we are halfway through week four. 918 00:38:31,820 --> 00:38:33,540 It's week four? Mm. 919 00:38:33,540 --> 00:38:33,780 It's week four? Damn. I knew that. 920 00:38:33,780 --> 00:38:35,580 Damn. I knew that. 921 00:38:35,580 --> 00:38:35,820 It's gone super quick. Damn. I knew that. 922 00:38:35,820 --> 00:38:37,580 It's gone super quick. Yeah, I knew that. 923 00:38:37,580 --> 00:38:39,660 Alright, I wanted to touch base with both of you 924 00:38:39,660 --> 00:38:42,500 around what this term's project's going to be. 925 00:38:42,500 --> 00:38:44,340 I'd really like to get all of these... 926 00:38:44,340 --> 00:38:47,620 I've been going here... so, almost a full year. 927 00:38:47,620 --> 00:38:49,700 I was very excited about starting here 928 00:38:49,700 --> 00:38:54,420 because I didn't want to have to drop out of school. 929 00:38:54,420 --> 00:38:57,660 I had, like, a massive plan for my future. 930 00:38:57,660 --> 00:39:01,980 But then it was, like, all ripped away from me because I got unwell. 931 00:39:01,980 --> 00:39:02,260 Here I got, like, a second chance, I guess. But then it was, like, all ripped away from me because I got unwell. 932 00:39:02,260 --> 00:39:05,860 Here I got, like, a second chance, I guess. 933 00:39:06,820 --> 00:39:09,780 We get to, like, personalise our space. 934 00:39:09,780 --> 00:39:11,540 We get, like, a desk in, like, the wall. 935 00:39:11,540 --> 00:39:15,380 Here I have a picture of a cow on a skateboard. 936 00:39:15,380 --> 00:39:15,620 Here I have a picture (CHUCKLES) 937 00:39:15,620 --> 00:39:16,740 (CHUCKLES) 938 00:39:16,740 --> 00:39:18,180 It's very relaxed here. 939 00:39:18,180 --> 00:39:18,420 You can, like, It's very relaxed here. 940 00:39:18,420 --> 00:39:20,940 You can, like, just show up in pyjamas, 941 00:39:20,940 --> 00:39:21,180 You can, like, which I have done a few times. 942 00:39:21,180 --> 00:39:23,100 which I have done a few times. 943 00:39:23,100 --> 00:39:26,460 But we don't just come here and get to do whatever we want. 944 00:39:26,460 --> 00:39:26,700 But we don't just come here We do actually have to do work. 945 00:39:26,700 --> 00:39:29,180 We do actually have to do work. 946 00:39:29,180 --> 00:39:29,420 Alrighty, so, in relation We do actually have to do work. 947 00:39:29,420 --> 00:39:32,460 Alrighty, so, in relation to empirical reasoning, 948 00:39:32,460 --> 00:39:34,980 you're looking at research in colour-theory experiments. 949 00:39:34,980 --> 00:39:35,220 you're looking at research Do you have any sort of hypothesis 950 00:39:35,220 --> 00:39:36,420 Do you have any sort of hypothesis 951 00:39:36,420 --> 00:39:39,220 about what you think might be the outcome of that research? 952 00:39:39,220 --> 00:39:40,540 Um... 953 00:39:40,540 --> 00:39:43,020 We do project-based learning. 954 00:39:43,020 --> 00:39:46,540 So, it's all based around my interests. 955 00:39:46,540 --> 00:39:50,380 And we have to show that we've hit every part of the curriculum 956 00:39:50,380 --> 00:39:51,780 in that project. 957 00:39:51,780 --> 00:39:56,300 And I do love learning and it's helped me get back into that. 958 00:39:56,300 --> 00:39:59,540 I'm just going to paint this term. 959 00:39:59,540 --> 00:40:01,780 I really like realism. Yep. 960 00:40:01,780 --> 00:40:04,260 Are there any different mediums you're thinking about exploring 961 00:40:04,260 --> 00:40:05,460 or just painting this term? Clay? 962 00:40:05,460 --> 00:40:06,460 Clay? Yeah. 963 00:40:06,460 --> 00:40:06,700 Clay? Yeah, definitely. 964 00:40:06,700 --> 00:40:07,460 Yeah, definitely. 965 00:40:07,460 --> 00:40:07,700 At the start I would come for, like, Yeah, definitely. 966 00:40:07,700 --> 00:40:10,540 At the start I would come for, like, a few hours a day 967 00:40:10,540 --> 00:40:10,780 At the start I would come for, like, and not every day a week. 968 00:40:10,780 --> 00:40:11,980 and not every day a week. 969 00:40:11,980 --> 00:40:14,460 And now I show up pretty much every single day. 970 00:40:14,460 --> 00:40:15,380 Next year. What? 971 00:40:15,380 --> 00:40:17,180 Oh, yeah. For school. 972 00:40:17,180 --> 00:40:19,420 It's only going to be, like, two weeks. 973 00:40:19,420 --> 00:40:24,380 Well, in primary school I was in the top classes for everything, 974 00:40:24,380 --> 00:40:24,620 Well, in primary school I was but I started getting depressed. 975 00:40:24,620 --> 00:40:26,540 but I started getting depressed. 976 00:40:26,540 --> 00:40:32,380 Like, Year 5 I started not going to school, and then I dropped down. 977 00:40:32,380 --> 00:40:33,940 You're so weird. Oh, my God. 978 00:40:33,940 --> 00:40:35,220 It kind of got worse. 979 00:40:35,220 --> 00:40:38,820 I'd start having, like, a few weeks at a time off school. 980 00:40:38,820 --> 00:40:41,900 Then last year, Year 9, my attendance was terrible. 981 00:40:41,900 --> 00:40:43,140 It was at 7%. 982 00:40:43,140 --> 00:40:49,020 I would just miss pretty much every single day. 983 00:40:49,020 --> 00:40:49,260 I would just miss And I really wanted to get there, 984 00:40:49,260 --> 00:40:51,220 And I really wanted to get there, 985 00:40:51,220 --> 00:40:53,180 but I couldn't get out of bed. 986 00:40:56,140 --> 00:40:58,940 Most days I'd lie in my room, 987 00:40:58,940 --> 00:41:00,860 like, just in my bed, 988 00:41:00,860 --> 00:41:03,260 in the dark doing nothing. 989 00:41:03,260 --> 00:41:06,260 And then I had my parents coming in, like, yelling at me, 990 00:41:06,260 --> 00:41:06,500 And then I had my parents coming in, telling me that I'm lazy, 991 00:41:06,500 --> 00:41:08,260 telling me that I'm lazy, 992 00:41:08,260 --> 00:41:11,540 I'm not doing enough, I need to get out of bed. 993 00:41:11,540 --> 00:41:15,180 I got the light turned on, like, the blinds opened, 994 00:41:15,180 --> 00:41:17,420 the bed sheets pulled off, stuff like that. 995 00:41:19,860 --> 00:41:22,300 Just going back to the start. Oops. 996 00:41:23,780 --> 00:41:25,260 Um... 997 00:41:25,260 --> 00:41:27,060 "Unjustified absence..." 998 00:41:27,060 --> 00:41:30,660 "Your daughter has been marked absent from school." 999 00:41:30,660 --> 00:41:30,940 "This episode is being recorded as unexplained or unjustified." "Your daughter has been marked absent from school." 1000 00:41:30,940 --> 00:41:34,380 "This episode is being recorded as unexplained or unjustified." 1001 00:41:34,380 --> 00:41:34,620 "This episode is being recorded as unexplained or unjustified." "Please explain this absence." 1002 00:41:34,620 --> 00:41:36,140 "Please explain this absence." 1003 00:41:36,140 --> 00:41:40,460 But you see, like, 21 November, 22 November, 23 November. 1004 00:41:40,460 --> 00:41:42,980 So, you're just getting it every day. 1005 00:41:42,980 --> 00:41:45,220 And I was thinking she was just being lazy at first. 1006 00:41:46,380 --> 00:41:48,300 And there were definitely times when I said to her, 1007 00:41:48,300 --> 00:41:50,820 "You just need to go to school because I need to go to work." 1008 00:41:50,820 --> 00:41:53,220 I was a single dad, two kids, you know, 1009 00:41:53,220 --> 00:41:55,220 and you're only human and sometimes, you know, 1010 00:41:55,220 --> 00:41:57,820 you lose your temper or you yell or, you know... 1011 00:41:57,820 --> 00:41:58,060 you lose your temper or you yell ..or, actually, which is worse - 1012 00:41:58,060 --> 00:41:59,100 ..or, actually, which is worse - 1013 00:41:59,100 --> 00:42:02,940 a couple of times she seen me cry, and I think that's even worse 1014 00:42:02,940 --> 00:42:07,220 because then the guilt that she gets is a lot worse. 1015 00:42:08,300 --> 00:42:11,260 My school didn't react very well to it 1016 00:42:11,260 --> 00:42:15,740 and they started, like, threatening fining us and stuff like that 1017 00:42:15,740 --> 00:42:17,260 and "If you don't pay these fines, 1018 00:42:17,260 --> 00:42:19,740 "then you're going to have to go to court." 1019 00:42:19,740 --> 00:42:23,820 Yeah, I think they told us it was, like, a $10,000 or $11,000 fine. 1020 00:42:23,820 --> 00:42:26,100 I think they were trying to scare Hayley a little bit into 1021 00:42:26,100 --> 00:42:27,340 "You have yo come to school." 1022 00:42:27,340 --> 00:42:29,020 It put a lot of pressure on us, 1023 00:42:29,020 --> 00:42:31,500 because we were then trying to push her, "You just have to turn up." 1024 00:42:31,500 --> 00:42:33,420 Like, "You have to show you're trying." 1025 00:42:33,420 --> 00:42:35,660 I just wanted to focus on getting better 1026 00:42:35,660 --> 00:42:39,940 and getting better enough to want to live. 1027 00:42:39,940 --> 00:42:44,860 But I couldn't because school was such a big pressure. 1028 00:42:44,860 --> 00:42:48,180 And she sort of said, "I just can't do it. I can't get out of bed." 1029 00:42:48,180 --> 00:42:49,780 And she started telling me why 1030 00:42:49,780 --> 00:42:51,740 with a lot of tears because we'd had a big fight. 1031 00:42:51,740 --> 00:42:55,100 And then all of a sudden I'm like, "Oh, my God, this is depression." 1032 00:42:55,100 --> 00:42:58,140 You know, I'm a mental-health nurse by trade 1033 00:42:58,140 --> 00:42:59,980 and I've done mental-health nursing for years. 1034 00:42:59,980 --> 00:43:01,860 I couldn't believe I hadn't picked up on it. 1035 00:43:02,820 --> 00:43:04,660 So, that's when we got psychologists 1036 00:43:04,660 --> 00:43:07,940 and eventually a psychiatrist and all that sort of thing. 1037 00:43:07,940 --> 00:43:10,860 But it took a long time. 1038 00:43:11,820 --> 00:43:15,100 To the school's credit, we started talking to the deputy principal, 1039 00:43:15,100 --> 00:43:15,340 To the school's credit, we started and she was excellent, 1040 00:43:15,340 --> 00:43:17,060 and she was excellent, 1041 00:43:17,060 --> 00:43:17,300 so, she put a plan in place and she was excellent, 1042 00:43:17,300 --> 00:43:19,540 so, she put a plan in place with Hayley, 1043 00:43:19,540 --> 00:43:21,780 and she said, "Oh, no, you're doing everything that you need to do, 1044 00:43:21,780 --> 00:43:22,020 and she said, "Oh, no, you're doing "there's no way you get fined." 1045 00:43:22,020 --> 00:43:23,620 "there's no way you get fined." 1046 00:43:33,940 --> 00:43:36,140 I found out she was cutting herself. 1047 00:43:36,140 --> 00:43:39,220 So, I saw some scratches to start with on her arms. 1048 00:43:39,220 --> 00:43:43,020 But then she started really prolifically cutting. 1049 00:43:43,020 --> 00:43:46,060 That crushing weight of having to be at school 1050 00:43:46,060 --> 00:43:49,140 really made it hard, you know. 1051 00:43:49,140 --> 00:43:51,980 Having a child... 1052 00:43:51,980 --> 00:43:55,300 ..doing that to themselves is really hard, 1053 00:43:55,300 --> 00:43:59,580 and working in the industry, knowing what the outcomes can be... 1054 00:43:59,580 --> 00:44:03,380 You know, we don't report youth suicide rates for a good reason, 1055 00:44:03,380 --> 00:44:03,620 You know, we don't report youth but they're huge. 1056 00:44:03,620 --> 00:44:05,140 but they're huge. 1057 00:44:05,140 --> 00:44:07,060 So... 1058 00:44:07,060 --> 00:44:11,100 You know, I think most people think, "Oh, no, that can never happen." 1059 00:44:11,100 --> 00:44:13,060 I know it does, so... 1060 00:44:13,060 --> 00:44:15,300 ..that...that was very hard. 1061 00:44:19,620 --> 00:44:23,580 Ah, yeah, well, she'll be coming out in about two minutes. 1062 00:44:23,580 --> 00:44:25,900 It's nice being able to come and pick her up from school 1063 00:44:25,900 --> 00:44:26,140 It's nice being able and, yeah, have her attending. 1064 00:44:26,140 --> 00:44:28,020 and, yeah, have her attending. 1065 00:44:28,980 --> 00:44:33,260 And I can see a future for her well and truly because of this school. 1066 00:44:34,460 --> 00:44:36,100 Hi! Bottle's about to fall out! 1067 00:44:40,300 --> 00:44:42,340 Oh, did you get your results back for your tests? 1068 00:44:42,340 --> 00:44:44,780 Minimum standards? Yeah, the minimum standards. 1069 00:44:44,780 --> 00:44:48,100 Yeah. I got four in both of them, which is the highest mark. 1070 00:44:48,100 --> 00:44:48,340 Yeah. I got four in both of them, Oh, you got... Oh, excellent. 1071 00:44:48,340 --> 00:44:50,180 Oh, you got... Oh, excellent. 1072 00:44:53,020 --> 00:44:54,820 Bye! OTHERS: Bye! 1073 00:44:59,940 --> 00:45:03,700 You could say that, yes, there's a lot more money spent on these kids, 1074 00:45:03,700 --> 00:45:03,940 You could say that, yes, there's a I suppose, for this special school. 1075 00:45:03,940 --> 00:45:06,780 I suppose, for this special school. 1076 00:45:08,340 --> 00:45:11,140 It's a hell of a lot more money if she goes to hospital. 1077 00:45:17,780 --> 00:45:20,620 E, A, D, G, C. Oh, yeah, E... 1078 00:45:20,620 --> 00:45:23,060 If schools like this can help get kids well 1079 00:45:23,060 --> 00:45:25,660 and they're productive members of society, 1080 00:45:25,660 --> 00:45:25,900 and they're productive members that's really good. 1081 00:45:25,900 --> 00:45:27,740 that's really good. 1082 00:45:27,740 --> 00:45:30,820 I know Hayley hates the term 'school refusal'. 1083 00:45:30,820 --> 00:45:32,060 And I agree with her. 1084 00:45:32,060 --> 00:45:34,020 You know, she was never refusing to go to school. 1085 00:45:34,020 --> 00:45:34,260 You know, she was never refusing She just couldn't do it. 1086 00:45:34,260 --> 00:45:35,260 She just couldn't do it. 1087 00:45:36,220 --> 00:45:39,660 My attendance is at 85% now. 1088 00:45:39,660 --> 00:45:42,620 I feel very optimistic about my future. 1089 00:45:42,620 --> 00:45:45,140 I know I'm going to be a psychologist. 1090 00:45:45,140 --> 00:45:48,260 I know I'm going to get a little cottage house 1091 00:45:48,260 --> 00:45:50,140 and have two cats and a dog 1092 00:45:50,140 --> 00:45:51,820 and a bird 1093 00:45:51,820 --> 00:45:54,580 and hopefully a goat. 1094 00:45:56,220 --> 00:45:58,980 Yay!