Plan to combat violence

LUKE PARKER

HELPING HAND: Kung Fu blackbelt Danny Gordon says teachers need to be able to defend themselves.

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MARTIAL arts instructor Danny Gordon is helping teachers combat classroom violence.

ACC figures show 442 teachers needed treatment, at a cost of more than $400,000 after they were assaulted by pupils at school during 2008 and 2009.

A further 335 were not seriously hurt and did not need state-funded medical assistance.

Mr Gordon is shocked by the results and is running two free evening classes for teachers wanting to defend themselves.

"Striking, kicking, and punching is not an option," Mr Gordon says.

"This is about being able to inspire students to relax and settle. These are skills that teachers can be taught and trained in.

"If they're being pushed, punched or grabbed, small-circle training will allow them to nullify, control and restrain the person that's doing it."

Mr Gordon is a fourth-degree black belt and has been involved in martial arts for a large part of his life. He could not believe the statistics when he first heard them.

"I saw them on TV and was shocked. Back in my day, that would never have been heard of."

The father-of-four runs the Healing Arts Kung Fu School, which teaches several martial art forms and personal development programmes.

The 44-year-old says teachers will be taught basic posturing and Chi Gung breathing forms that don't take a lot of time to learn.

"We're not a fight club. We're a personal development organisation," he says. "We have good ties to Heart Children New Zealand and the Kelston Intervention Team, who are committed to helping kids and schools and teachers."

The classes will be held at the Ceramco Park Function Centre at 120 Glendale Rd, Glen Eden, on March 23 and 25 from 6.30pm to 7.45pm. Call 8188711 to register or go to healingartskungfuschool.co.nz for more information.

- © Fairfax NZ News