Warning! Side effects!

 Bullying has dramatically amplify in seriousness around the world, yet as one walks up the cement steps to Princess Margaret Secondary School, all worries and nervousness seems to be left at the door. The atmosphere inside the building mimics that of a secret society. Where teenagers loom the halls and the staff mingle with the undergraduates as if they were their own. In a school of over 700, the closeness and respect that seems to emanate from one student to the next is remarkable. Caucasians seem to dominate the school population, while other ethnics mix in to provide a tapestry of pupils to the euphoric school.

 We seem to be in the era where everywhere else Bullying and Suicide news reports, have become a monthly occurrence, the monstrosity of the crisis sending most administrators and staff into a state of panic. The opposite occurs at Maggie, where mustang pride floats through the air every minute of every hour of every day. Accountability, Integrity and Respect three words that these students seem to live by during the school day.

 In my short visit at Princess Margaret I was able to catch a few students in the hall to ask their opinion on where bullying stands in their school. Archie a future 2011 graduate was optimistic and reassuring towards my question stating “That’s not a problem in our school, if an incident comes up it will be dealt with and shut down before it can get serious.” However, his reassuring outlook did not emanate onto Rose, “There are certainly people in the school you go out of your way to avoid. People who can hurt you, but they are smart enough to do it when teachers aren’t around.” Her statement brought in mixed reviews on this topic, leading me to only one conclusion.

 While most at Princess Margaret try to avoid the topic, or brush it off as if nothing is happening. Under the surface there is a whole world of mistreated students and bullies who seek attention and ego boosts, bringing multiple side effects to gaining an education. We live in a world where nothing is perfect, yet I strongly believe there should be more done in schools to stop this behaviour. What is it going to take for things to change? Does another child have to die for someone to notice, or can things be done now to change the way students feel about school?