Education Department decides not to show short film Monica’s Story due to ‘bullying’ reference

Bureaucracy gone mad? A filmmaker says the Education Department banned his anti-bullying film from schools because it refers to “bullying”.

Monica’s Story co-producers Katherine Prideaux and Gavin Crosby in Beulah Park. Picture: Matt Loxton

An independent filmmaker is disappointed by an Education Department decision not to show a short film to students because he referred to “bullying” when offering it for screening.

Gavin Crosby wrote to Education Minister Blair Boyer suggesting the film, Monica’s Story, should be screened at Whyalla Secondary College following violent assaults between students.

The 14-minute short film produced by Mr Crosby and partner Katherine Prideaux examines bullying through the fictitious experience of a teenage girl who experiences hormonal changes during puberty.

It had been shown at several independent schools where students held workshops using lesson notes prepared by a respected Adelaide psychologist, Tim Dansie, before Mr Crosby approached Mr Boyer, who referred him to the department.

A screen shot from a short film on school bullying, Monica's Story. Picture: Supplied

Mr Crosby, of Beulah Park, said he received a reply from the Education Department saying the “wording” of his synopsis about the film and its lesson plans “were not aligned with the language used in department policy and resources”.

“Essentially, they objected to me using the word ‘bullying’, which is what the film is about,” he said.

“How can you make a film about bullying and invite school kids to discuss bullying if you don’t use the word ‘bullying’? It is all a bit ridiculous.”

Mr Crosby said he found the situation “even more baffling and perplexing” considering there had been “many more high profile bullying attacks” since he wrote to Mr Boyer after the incidents at Whyalla.

“Security guards are now being deployed into South Australian schools like Golden Grove High trying to combat the problem,” he said.

The letter which independent filmmaker Gavin Crosby received from the Education Department about his short film about bullying within schools. Picture: Supplied

Mr Crosby said his film examined bullying from various contemporary perspectives, including the use of mobile phones, social media, verbal taunts, physical confrontations and intimidation.

“All the schools which have shown Monica’s Story to their students have sent me letters saying how helpful it has been,” he said.

“I can’t understand how the Education Department can just reject it on the basis of the language I used in my synopsis.”

When Mr Crosby questioned the decision, he received another letter which revealed the Education Department declined his offer without viewing the video.

A screen shot from the short film on school bullying, Monica's Story. Picture: Supplied,

The letter from a departmental official, Trish Hall, said there was “no information as to the evidence base used to inform the film and lesson plans nor is there any connection to existing curriculum content”.

“Specifically, they (the unit) were concerned the content does not reflect the national definition of bullying, which underpins the statewide strategy and department resources,” it said.

“ … the language of ‘bully’, ‘victim’ and ‘tormentors’ have been used in the synopsis, lesson plans and YouTube video ‘How to stop a bully’.

“This is not aligned with the language used in department policy and resources.”

Mr Crosby said he had continued to find the decision “baffling”, especially when various school principals and teachers had praised the film.

“They have all told me how useful it was to start talking about bullying and the different forms it takes, especially in this age of mobile phones,” he said.

Contacted for comment, Mr Boyer took a different view to the Department, saying Mr Crosby’s work “should be commended’.

“Bullying is a scourge on our society and has lifelong implications for the victims,” he said. “Schools have the ability to use their own budgets to engage with resources and I would encourage them to do so whenever they are needed.”

Mr Boyer said he had asked the department “to look at other ways Mr Crosby’s resources could be utilised”.