Dear Kerry

I've just moved to a new school and the other kids are being really nasty. They call me names and leave me out of their groups. I don't think I'm a bad person and 1 really want to fit in at my new school but they're not giving me a chance.

I hate my brother. Mum and Dad leave him to look after me when they go out. He beats me up and takes my stuff. I don't do anything to him.When I tell Mum and Dad they say I'm telling lies. What can I do?

I feel really stink about my clothes. Most of the kids in my class have really nice clothes and their parents buy them all the latest gear. I wear clothes that other people in our family have worn before me and often they don't even fit very well. Swimming is bad too. How can I be expected to get changed in to these dreadful old togs? Nothing will change. We can't afford nice stuff.

My family hasn't been in New Zealand for very long. Already I'm finding out that I'm not like the other kids in the class. We eat different food, wear different clothes - our whole culture is different. My classmates can't even say my name. And they think I'm strange. 1 thought the people in New Zealand were supposed to be nice - now I'm not so sure.

My Mum snoops around my room when I am out. She reads my mail and my diary, listens to my phone calls and has to know everything I do. I haven't got anything to hide but I think I deserve some privacy. When I ask her not to do these things she tells me not to be cheeky. Am I wrong?

We live on a farm and that means a lot of work. I have to get up early to help milk the cows and there's always work to do after school. The trouble is that it makes me so tired. I can't concentrate in class and I'm always behind with my homework. It's not Mum and Dad's fault - they work hard too. Maybe I'll just drop out as soon as I can.

I'm having, a pretty tough year at school this year. My teacher really hates me and is at me all the time. 1 did really badly in the last maths test. Mum was wild. She says I'm not trying. We've got this research project to do, with lots of graphs and 1 can't understand them. Do you think 1 should ask to change classes? Please write soon.

My real hassle is sport. I hate Tuesdays because we have sport. I say I'm sick and get Mum or Dad to write a note. But they won't co on doing that forever.

I'm just hopeless. 1 can't run and can never get over the high jump. Everyone laughs when it's my turn. I feel like crying or running away.Any suggestions?

How can 1 stop my friends getting into trouble? They pinch stuff from the dairy. I don't go with them but they talk about it and show me the stuff. They're pretty careful, but I know they'll get caught one day. I don't want that to happen. I can't tell on them and they won't listen to me. Any ideas?

I've got a real problem at home. It's my Dad. He hasn't got a job and he lies around at home drinking beer. He makes Mum give him all the money she earns. When he's really drunk he's violent. Mostly he hits Mum and if I try to protect her I get it too.

This is a hopeless situation. Where can I turn?

Our family doesn't have much money and now Dad has lost his job. Us kids know we can't have treats and that's okay. But the school is always asking for money - for school camp, for a class trip,) for a concert or something. I can’t ask Mum and Dad and my friends can't understand why 1 can't go. Perhaps stealing the money is the answer?

I've been crying my eyes out all week, ever since 1 heard we're moving to a farm in the country. That means a new school and no friends. I don't like farms') either. I just know I'm going to hate it down there. Mum and Dad say I'll get used to it, but 1 won't 1 feel like running away.

All the guys hate me because I'm smart. It isn't considered cool for girls in this place to be smart. My friends say 1 should act dumb and then I'd get a boy friend - but I think that's silly. What do you think?

I have to wear glasses and I really hate it. Some kids at school call me names and I hate that too. I've started taking my glasses off before 1 get to school but Mum found out and got mad. She says 1 can't get contacts until I'm 15 but that's years away. Any ideas?

I sometimes wonder why I'm here at all. Nobody ever listens to me. At school the teacher never asks me any questions, even if I've had my hand up for ages, when I'm talking to my friends ( if you can call them that) they interrupt me or walk away. My family is just as bad. They say "Yes, dear" when I ask for something but then they never do what they say ‘They'll do.’ It's as though I'm invisible. What can 1 do to make people notice me?

MY little brother and 1 live with our Nan. I know she's got a hard job bringing us up, with not much money and 1 do try to help. But she gets angry and lashes out at me all the time. Sometimes she gives me a real hiding and it really hurts. It makes my brother frightened.

I want to go to the park but some kids from the High School hang out there and like to hassle us younger kids and push us around. Last week they took my pocket money. I don't want to tell Mum because she won't let me go to the park anymore. It's not fair.

My problem is that I'm the teacher's pet - or that's what the other kids in the class say. 1 like to do all my work and I feel proud when I've done a good job. Bu the others don't see it that way. They laugh when the teacher reads out my stories. Am I wrong to want to do well?

The older girls in my class are real pains. Every time I ask a question in class they just laugh at me and make faces behind the teacher's back. They make me feel like I'm dumb and that 1 shouldn't even make a sound. How can I deal with this?

My problem is that 1 don't have enough money. I haven't got a walkman, 1 can't afford to get out videos or buy junk food. When my friends go to McDonald's 1 can't go - or else one of them has to pay for me. I get much less pocket money than my friends. Mum and Dad say I'm too young to get a job after school. What can 1 do?

There's this guy at school that I really like. He lives further down our street. The trouble is that 1 told my girlfriend that 1 like him and she's spreading it around. I'm scared he'll find out and will think I'm stupid. I don't think that's fair, do you?

I've got a big, problem - my parents! They won't let me do anything. They criticise my friends and if 1 have anyone over my Dad is really awful to them. They're strict about what 1 do as well. I'm never allowed to watch TV after 8pm and have to go to bed ages earlier than anyone else in my class.

1 have no fun, no going out - just boring homework. How can 1 get my parents to be more reasonable?