Why Victorian schools could crackdown on footy cards
Footy cards have been swapped in Victoria’s schoolyards for decades, but that could all be about to end. Here’s why some schools are mulling a crackdown on footy cards.
Education
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Dodgy footy card swaps are ending in tears with some schools suggesting students keep their prized collections at home.
With AFL round 16 looming this week, footy loving students are proudly bringing their collections to school to show off and to swap. But sirens are sounding.
A number of schools have issued warnings to students and families that they might reconsider whether it was worth the grief. The schools have stopped short of adding the cards to the banned list.
The team running the Camp Australia out of school hours club at Hawthorn West Primary School told parents in the newsletter last week that while it was “great to see so many children engaged and proud of their collection” there was a downside.
“However, I have noticed a few cases of stealing and unfair trading among some children,” the team said.
“This is unacceptable behaviour and the team will do their best to monitor this at all times.”
Children, who insisted on bringing their cards to schools, were urged to ask staff to keep them in a safe place.
“It might be worth speaking with your child about the importance of respecting each other’s belongings and decide whether it’s worth bringing them to school at all,” the Camp Australia team said.
They said instead of leaving valuable items in their bags, children were welcome to give them to an educator for safekeeping while they were in before and after care.
It’s a perennial problem at schools with some kids dudding others, stealing cards of misplacing them.
A schoolteacher, who did not want to be identified, said footy cards and other collectables were a nightmare for schools to regulate.
“Often the younger children will do a swap or be coerced into handing over a prized card and it ends in tears,” she said.
“Some parents will expect the staff to be there and right all the wrongs that happen in the schoolyard.”
She said the cards and other valuable and loved possessions were best left at home.
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At Richmond West Primary School, not far from the MCG, the principal expressed similar reservations.
Writing in the school newsletter, principal Ms Tip Kennedy reminded students and families of “golden rules of footy card swapping”.
“There have been a number of disagreements in the yard about football cards,” she wrote.
She outlined the golden rules: Swap only with those you know and trust.
Consider whether your collection is best kept at home
Keep football cards safe in your bag or in your pocket
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