The first day of Jr. High for my youngest was rather eventful. At the time, he was rather small for his age . However, he was always a bit pugnacious and I taught him how to box. He looked like Opie Taylor and many a bully picked on him. His two closest friends were also rather small and my son would often end up taking their side in many a scuffle.
Anyway, a particular bully thought he would pick a fight with a new 7th grader and picked my son. After receiving a decent beat down, the bully was pretty docile during his remaining time in Jr. High. However, my son was suspended the first day of Jr. High.
The VP called me to tell me about the suspension and was somewhat righteously indignant. I told him I understood that he was only enforcing their policy. I also told him my son was subject to a higher law in that when confronted with a bully the house rule was to defend himself. I told him the reason for this was that it was not always possible for teachers / parents to be present, and I wasn't going to have him running scared his whole life.
Apparently, word spread and he was never bothered again.