ABSTRACT
When we are confronted by difficult or unpleasant situations there is a normal tendency in all of us to avoid truths that can be painful. Imagine a family which has a huge elephant in the kitchen. Everybody squeezes around it, but no one will ask the question, ‘What is that elephant doing in the kitchen?’ for fear of breaking the family secret. This can be the same with difficult groups – the painful truth is avoided. Jasmine, for example, is being bullied by a number of girls in her class. All the other members of the class know that this is going on, but no one will talk about it. Her class teacher is aware that things are not right but doesn’t know why. The shock tactic of bringing the secret into the open, however, can often be the first step in going forward. Children, like adults, are used to looking the other way. Show your determination to improve relationships, teaching and learning.
