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Robyn Nixon: Parents' plea over bullying

11:00am Thursday 15th April 2010 in Local News By Adrianne Maslen

Robyn Nixon Robyn Nixon

THE parents of tragic teenager Robyn Nixon say that bullies drove her to her death.

The 15-year-old died after falling from the top floor of the multi-storey car park in Weymouth town centre on Sunday evening.

Thousands of people have paid tribute to the popular All Saints schoolgirl following her death.

But her parents Rob and Sue Nixon have now said that she was being bullied and made a heartfelt appeal for youngsters to stop picking on other children.

In a statement they said: “This is what bullying does. This is what happens. Bullying stops here.”

Mr and Mrs Nixon also said they would like to thank everyone who had paid tribute to their daughter.

They also said that ‘Forget Me Not’ was Robyn’s motto and that they hope it would serve as a reminder to everyone of their beautiful daughter.

Kidscape, a children’s charity working to prevent bullying, said tragic cases such as this are all too often related to bullying.

Director Claude Knights said: “This is a hugely tragic situation – a young life stopped in its tracks. It is always so very difficult to know the cause because there are so many things you can attribute to such tragedies. But in terms of bullying, we do know that it’s one source of huge distress for young people.

“Where it hasn’t been dealt with adequately, where the young person doesn’t see a way out and a light in a dark tunnel, it can lead to desperate measures.

“It’s hugely sad, but we do know it is preventable when the right policies, procedures and strategies are put in place.”

Robyn’s school has said bullying was not tolerated and an anti-bullying policy was in place.

Lucy Greenslade, vice-chairman of governors at All Saints School, said: “We are saddened to hear of Robyn’s death, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”

Mrs Greenslade said the school was rated is its 2009 Ofsted report as ‘outstanding’ for its pastoral care.

She added: “The school treats bullying very seriously. The anti-bullying policy states ‘as a school we take bullying seriously. Pupils and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.’”

The Samaritans are urging Robyn’s fellow pupils, friends and family to get in touch for advice and support. Sara, director of Samaritans’ Weymouth branch, said: “We were very saddened to hear about Robyn.

“We know that bullying can be extremely distressing and may lead to depression and even thoughts of suicide.

“If you have been affected by bullying, or are a friend or family member of someone who has taken their own life, we would encourage you to contact us for non- judgmental emotional support, even if it is just to talk through the tragic events that have occurred.”

The confidential service is available 24/7 on 01305 771777 and 0845 7909090 - or email jo@samaritans.org

The following statement was issued by Rob and Sue Nixon:

Forget Me Not

The parents of Robyn Danielle Nixon would like to thank everyone for their sympathy and best wishes.

Robyn Danielle Nixon was born on May 3, 1994 at 0.19am and died on April 11, 2010 at 5.05pm aged 15.

This is what bullying does.

This is what happens.

Bullying stops here.

Rob and Sue would like to say a special thanks to all our friends for their support at this very difficult time.

Comments(26)

LittleMissK says...
9:52am Thu 15 Apr 10

I was bullied at school, sadly they could not acknowledge this (as at this top local school there was no bullying what so ever(of course)) and came to the conclusion that I was the one with issues and insisted on me seeing a therapist and having a social worker. It's sad to see cases like this where nothing is done about it and people feel there is no other way out. Youngsters often feel they have no one they can talk to about it at fear of the problem worsening. Rest in peace Robyn, my thoughts are with your family xXx

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Phaedrus says...
12:20pm Thu 15 Apr 10

In my experience of having my children bullied at more than one school, every school has an anti-bullying policy but schools do not take action unless the situation is impossible to ignore or they are forced to it by parental action - in which case parents risk being regarded as over-protective troublemakers.
I know nothing about this school but one can only feel enormous sympathy for Robyn's parents, there is nothing worse than losing a child.

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123456789 says...
1:02pm Thu 15 Apr 10

Of course, based on the first two posts, all bullying happens in schools. Indeed when pupils are making their way home or are out for any other reason they don't experience bullying. Strangely (based on the views of the last two posts), when I was at school most of the bullying took place on the bus when pupils were not under the protection of schools. Poor Robyn's parents didn't make reference to the school as the source of the bullying, but the Echo has done a great job in misleading people into believing that this is where it started.

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bungy says...
1:24pm Thu 15 Apr 10

It is so sad a tragic waste, a lasting memorial her friends could start is an anti bulling help campaign in Robyn name. There are many around and a lot are based in schools.

My thoughts are with her mum and dad and all her family

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Jocey95 says...
1:30pm Thu 15 Apr 10

I have to agree with most of the above comments, whilst at school myself I was bullied to the point of attempted suicide and instead of being helped and supported by the teachers at the above school, I was forced to leave and become a student at another school in the middle of my GCSE's. I sincerely hope that the anti - bullying policies have been looked at since I left All Saints 6years ago!

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LittleMissK says...
1:50pm Thu 15 Apr 10

I was in the same situation and although i was happier at my new school it hugely affected my grades. I'm not sure what All Saints is like but i sincerely hope there are no other pupils that feel they are in the same situation. I agree with Bungy, and Anti Bullying Help Campaign would be a nice idea.

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kingersbird says...
2:16pm Thu 15 Apr 10

My heart goes out to Mr & Mrs Nixon, family & friends. I have 3 daughters all of whom went to All Saints and all of whom were bullyed. My middle daughter was bullyed for 3 yrs by the same girl. Once she finally got up the courage to stand up to this girl she was left along but unfortunately the same girl & a few others decided to pick on my youngest daughter. Things got so back she packed her bags one day and went to live with her father in Wales, this was half way threw her final exam yr. she does come home occationally but will not leave the house for fear of bumping into these girls. For yrs I was up the school asking for help for all my girls but nothing was ever done. The replys I got were the girls were too sensitive! I am lucky that my youngest daughter chose to go to her fathers and althought we miss her terribly I no she is safe. All i can do is hope that she will come home one day and prey to god that if she does these horrible girls will remember beautiful Robyn and her poor family and leave my daughter alone.

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abiibaby16 says...
4:03pm Thu 15 Apr 10

Robyn was a realy close friend of mine, I think the people who bullied her are sick! they have her death on them now for the rest of her lives, im still in school and get bullied too, this abti-bullying policeie is rubbish, the teachers dont do much unless its VERY serious, They just tell you to stay away from them, Robyn was a lovely girl and did not deserve this, I would like to tell robyns parents that if they need to talk about her i am here, i have lost 2 very close friends in the space if 2 years not and i cant loose anymore, schools need to help students that are bullied more, robyn did not deserve this. Im going to miss her loads just like i have missed my other close friend that lost his life, I miss and loveyou robyn and i hope your family will be ok, STOP BULLIEING NOW before another child looses there right to live too, R.I.P babe xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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sassy180770 says...
4:17pm Thu 15 Apr 10

I have 3 sons 2 of which have and are going to All Saints. My eldest was beaten so badly when he was in year 9 by a year 11 pupil (that was excluded for a week) that I involved the police. Bullying has been going on at the school for a while now but until the people that run it admit they have a problem then they are not able to address the situation.
Young people can be extremely cruel in the thing they do and say the tragedy and heartache that the Nixon family are now experiencing could be happening to any parent that has children of a similar age unless we instill the morals and discipline in our children so that they are not cruel and hurtful to others. May i take this opportunity so express my sincere condolences to the family of Robyn she was known by 2 of my sons who will always remember her for radiant smile that she always had and how beautiful she was. Rest In Peace Robyn xx

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dorwey says...
4:27pm Thu 15 Apr 10

NAME AND SHAME THESE BULLIES, before we are reading about another tragic loss of life.

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dorsetfellow says...
4:46pm Thu 15 Apr 10

A very brave family at a difficult time, hope that someone helps them!

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Bikerbaby says...
4:53pm Thu 15 Apr 10

Like several of the other parents who have commented here, I too complained on a number of occasions about the bullying situation at All Saints, it got so bad that I had to remove my children from the school. In the past few years we have now seen 3 young pupils from this school take their own life, and on each occasion bullying has been blamed. Surely now the LEA and Ofstead should be looking again at this school ....stop listening to the drivel spouted by the governors and senior management and talk to the kids and the parents who have suffered and are still suffering - before another young person feels so desperate that they feel they have no other option!!

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Duckorange says...
6:16pm Thu 15 Apr 10

PLEASE, all those of you who who've left a comment here saying you are being bullied keep pressing your teachers, headteachers and parents over the issue until something is done.
Also, go and speak to the Childrens Society WAVES centre in town and they'll give you all the help and support you'll need. They made all the difference in the case of my lad, who is now a completely different young man thanks to their help.
Don't keep suffering.

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Lily21 says...
6:48pm Thu 15 Apr 10

All Saints have for many years hid behind this smoke screen of the upstanding Christian moralistic school. It does not practise what it preaches - the tragic loss of this beautiful girl and others like her could have so easily been avoided if the Governors, Head and staff had actually adhered to there policies and listened. They have lost sight of the basis of the National curriculum that 'Every Child Matters'. They manipulate admissions to the school and have failed this poor child; and by the comments here, many, many others. The LEA HAVE TO INVESTIGATE this school, before any more lives are lost. Not only bullying, but every policy needs to be scrutinised. They are not holier than thou. My deepest sympathy goes to the family and friends of Robyn xx.

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Dispirited says...
6:49pm Thu 15 Apr 10

I have no connection with All Saints School and cannot believe what I am reading on this forum. There is obviously a problem with bullying at this school and it needs to be addressed before another desperate child takes their life. Perhaps the school pupils would benefit from having a counsellor in the school for a few days a week. It certainly sounds as if it needs some outside input as it would appear their anti bullying policy is somewhat lacking.

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irisred says...
7:17pm Thu 15 Apr 10

This is a tragic event and my deepest sympathies go to Robyn's family and friends. This should never have happened.

I went to All Saints many years ago and I was bullied and so was my best friend. I've read all the comments above and am horrified by the sheer number of them but I do wonder if it is specific to this school or if its across all schools?

There has always been bullying, in school and I've seen it in the workplace, and it seems its as rife now as it ever was.

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dorchbloke says...
10:11pm Thu 15 Apr 10

As a parent may I first send my condolences to the family and friends.
I am amazed in this day and age bullying is still as rife as it ever was. I was bullied at school and the only way it was sorted was by me standing up to bullies as the teachers would not have provided any help, however that is wrong as the teachers will probably pour punishment on you for defending yourself.
The only way this was sorted in my school was the six form effectivelly running the school (which we took on ourselves) if we saw any bullying we would sort it out before teachers got involved but that only came from having a pride in our school and I am certain the teachers turned a blind eye to what we did because it worked!!!!

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Sapphire79 says...
10:51pm Thu 15 Apr 10

I didnt go to All Saints but did attend a local school. I was bullied by students from the school that i attended aswell as students from All Saints. Many Many times i told the teachers and many times my parents complained and nothing was done. I refused to go to school and refused to go out of the house, but after months of this going on i had no choice but to return to school where the bullying continued untill i stood up for myself and physically fought back. Once standing up to the bullies i was soon left alone but it came at a price of being punished by the school for defending myself. There was supposed to be an anti bullying policy but that to me didnt mean a thing. I am a mother now with a child about to go to secondary school and i am worried that she will face the same traumas as many other children do but i will continue to help and advise her to try and stand up to bullies in anyway she can even if it means she is punished by the school for it. Id rather take the school punishment( 2 weeks Suspension) than go through what i did for 5 years.

My thoughts are with the friend and family of Robyn
Rest in peace sweetheart!****

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Tike says...
10:56pm Thu 15 Apr 10

8 Years ago my son was hideously assaulted, 'bullying' is not appropriate, at All Saints. The Headteacher was not responsive initially - until I informed him that he would speak to me or the police. The response was then ... well, at least being listened to and I suppose that my son was not beaten black and blue. All Saints are right in not wishing to exclude at every opportunity and wanting to support all, but there is a base line. I am pleased that my next child to attend All Saints had a whiff of bullying and in the ensuing time difference the reaction was amazing, and practical. The school responds well now, but can only respond when they know. Pastoral care has been stepped up and I would urge any pupil to take advantage of this. My thoughts are with the family of tragic Robyn x

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scooby80 says...
8:08am Fri 16 Apr 10

when my son was being bullied by the same people in and out of school the school he was in didn't do a thing. I phoned dorset county hall and was told all schools have anti bullying policies that the school has to abide by also i was told that if they are in school uniform (in or out of school) then the school is ment to do something but if they don't you can have the police involved you need to keep a log of incidents and yes it did take a little bit of time but it has stopped.

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Phaedrus says...
10:00am Fri 16 Apr 10

123456789: I am quite well aware that bullying also takes place out of school, but in the instances to which I referred it definitely originated, and almost entirely happened, in the school.

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ballstoit says...
10:49am Fri 16 Apr 10

How did friends and family not see this coming?
Loads of kids are bullied at one time or other in their life but very few kill themselves. Was she not seriously depresed/upset beforehand?
I hope other kids in this position realise that staying alive is a far better way to defy bullies than following this poor girl's example.
It'll be interesting to see what (if any?) action the authorities take against the school in question, given the monumental lapse in their duty of care.

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Laughing gnome says...
12:34pm Fri 16 Apr 10

I knew there was a problem with bullying at All Saints, but really didn't realise it was on such a grand scale ! My daughter was subjected to bullying there, which got so bad that we had to pull her out & send her to another local school. The All Saints anti bullying policy was, & still is, a complete joke. A full enquiry must be carried out into this tragic loss of life. The staff & Governors must be held responsible for the heartbreak that has occurred due to their lack of care to vulnerable pupils. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MY DAUGHTER OR YOUR KIDS.

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DollyGal says...
9:03pm Fri 16 Apr 10

I was subjected to bullying at All Saints from both Students and Teachers. There is a handful of teachers at that school that did care about the students wellfare, the others only care about their paycheques and statistics. I had been bullied for 2 years with no support form teachers and when i told the teachers i felt unsafe i was told to ignore it or i was put in iscolation ( a small room, with no windows and facing the wall ) and carry on with my work with no help. Which made my grades suffer. This school is without a doubt the worst school in our area, Offstead may say it is a superb school but i and many other STRONGLY disagree. The dont see further than the paper work and A* students. It makes me so upset that a beautiful young ladies death has made people realise that after so many painful years of almost torture has opened so many eyes to this schools neglect! when i left All Saints half way threw year 9 in 2006 i felt i had to do well in life out of spite of the school. I just hope nothing like this ever happens again because this school wont help the students that (obviously) so depretately need. Something must be done! I knew Robyn and will never forget her. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Nixon Family xxx

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Kronstadt21 says...
11:13pm Fri 16 Apr 10

DollyGal your description of the All Saint's emphasis on A* grade students and teacher's bullying is reminiscent of Weymouth Grammar in the 1970s. The less academically able were often belittled or bullied in class by some teachers and with the example set, also by some of the (wannabe) more able students, which is not to say there weren't also some very good teachers. Looking back it is no surprise that those who were undermined in class frequently became the disruptive students and 'playground bullies'.
Whilst this 'method' of teaching may not be practiced at the former Grammar school, it seems that some 25 -30 years on it continues to find favour in the town.
A convenient and simple way of creating wheat and chaff .

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weymouthresident says...
7:25am Mon 19 Apr 10

I agree with all the comments above. The anti-bullying policy at All Saints isn't worth the paper it is printed on. My son was bullied by a child and no action was taken until we threatened to bring in the police. Even then the situation wasn't dealt with to our satisfaction. I'm glad I was able to get places for my children at another school. I dread to think how many other children at All Saints are suffering from the lack of pastoral care. Maybe now something will be done to address the problem that is not spoken about as it 'doesn't exist'.

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