school today

I'm surprised the teachers aren't forewarned about these kids and given some strategies on how to deal with the behaviour. I'm an HR Manager and every role I've gone into I've had a briefing on all the personal 'issues'. You need to understand the background and be aware of any special circumstances if you expect people to function at work. Surely its no different at a school. Maybe this is something you should raise with the principal lizzle.

Often they don't want to tell you too much abotu children prior to the start as some teachers will prejudge the child and how they will handle the situation. By waiting for teachers to ask, they have got a genuine impression of the child first to go on.

OMG thats so sad. But if he is willing to share that information with you maybe it's a start to a trusting relationship for once in his life.

My sister worked as a high school teacher in "certain" area of Sydney for a while and she used to call it Heart Break High like the TV programme as the kids there were all from broken homes and either didn't know who their dad's were or they were in Jail. It was heart breaking for her but some of them inspired her so much. She managed to get one kids writing published in some sort of short story book, I can't remember exactly but I think they took entries from all over oz and he was one of the ones chosen which was pretty cool for them both.

Good luck it sounds like you are a great teacher.