Bullying in schools has been apparent for decades and any action to put an end to it is welcome. So it is with a little regret that I am putting Leigh Crang on the 'Shame List'. If Australia is to get rid of the monkey on its back, cultural cringe, then everyone speaking or writing has a responsibilty not to use American words where there is an adequate Australian word available; this particularly applies to teachers, lecturers, journalists and broadcasters.

Mr Crang's 'crime'? he has introduced an anti-bullying initiative as Principal of the Aspendale Gardens Primary School. He has called it a 'buddy system'. What's wrong with mate, friend or mentor? and while I'm about it - please teachers stop referring to your pupils as 'baby goats'. Calling children 'kids' shows lack of respect for them, so why should they respect you?

Also added to the shame list is Bridget McManus in The Age's Green Pages (30/11) - references to 'grabbing' a latte, 'yuletide folk' and referring to Ian Thorpe as 'the guy' are un-Australian.

Shame on you Margaret Throsby - all your uses of 'I guess' and 'kind of' seem to suggest that you are working for the American Broadcasting Corporation. Are you?