John Goulden, a crossing supervisor in Victoria, was recently banned from high-fiving students after a parent complained about the “unnecessarily physical” contact. The Yarra Ranges Council issued a warning to Goulden, prompting the school community to launch an online petition in support of his high fives. The petition describes the high fives as a source of joy and a way to promote a positive learning environment for the students. Despite the support from the school community, the council reiterated its child safety expectations and the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries with children.
The incident occurred on Farndons Road near Mount Dandenong Primary School, where Goulden has been working as a crossing supervisor. The council confirmed that they received a complaint from a parent who witnessed Goulden giving high fives to children, leading to the warning being issued. The council emphasized the importance of adhering to their internal policies and the Victorian standards regarding interactions with children and young people. They stated that unnecessary physical contact with children should be avoided, in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in their care.
In response to the ban on high-fiving, the school community rallied behind John Goulden by starting an online petition in his support. The petition describes Goulden as a “morale booster” for the community and highlights the positive impact of his interactions with the students. Supporters of the petition argue that the high fives bring joy to the students and contribute to a positive learning environment at the school. The community’s show of support for Goulden reflects the impact he has had on the school community and the value they place on his role as a crossing supervisor.
Despite the support from the school community, the Yarra Ranges Council stood by their decision to issue a warning to John Goulden regarding his interactions with the students. The council reiterated their commitment to upholding child safety standards and ensuring that all staff, contractors, and volunteers who work with children have valid Working With Children Checks. While the council recognizes the positive intentions behind the high-fives, they emphasized the need to maintain appropriate boundaries with children and avoid behaviors that could be construed as unnecessarily physical.
The controversy surrounding John Goulden’s ban on high-fiving students sheds light on the complex nature of interactions between adults and children in school settings. While the intentions behind Goulden’s high fives were positive and aimed at fostering a supportive and engaging environment for the students, the council deemed them as potentially crossing boundaries. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining clear guidelines and boundaries when interacting with children, especially in roles where adults are responsible for their safety and well-being.
In conclusion, John Goulden, a crossing supervisor in Victoria, was banned from high-fiving students after a parent complained about the “unnecessarily physical” contact. Despite the support from the school community through an online petition, the Yarra Ranges Council stood by their decision to issue a warning to Goulden regarding his interactions with the students. The incident highlights the importance of upholding child safety standards and maintaining appropriate boundaries when working with children. The controversy surrounding Goulden’s ban on high-fiving students serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in adult-child interactions in school settings, and the need to prioritize the safety and well-being of children.
