5726 Australian schools today have been part of a nationwide movement celebrating this year's theme of Bullying. No Way! Take action every day. The purpose is to empower young people to be part of the solution when addressing bullying in their school community. It provides an opportunity to focus on bullying and the changes we can all make to help create safer communities for everyone.
At Claremont College, our students need to develop acceptance and understanding of others and their personal needs as they interact in the learning spaces, the playground and beyond this, in aspects of school and life. Everyone has the right to be safe and happy at Claremont College, where there is a culture that promotes anti-bullying attitudes and behaviours. It is our policy that:
- Bullying is managed through a whole school community approach involving students, staff and parents/carers;
- Bullying prevention strategies are implemented within the school on a continuous basis with a focus on teaching age appropriate skills and strategies to empower staff, students and parents/cares to recognise bullying and respond appropriately;
- Bullying response strategies are tailored to the circumstances of each incident;
- Staff act as positive role models emphasising our no-bullying culture; and
- Bullying prevention and intervention strategies are reviewed against best practice.
This year, your child may have spoken to you about the different ways to keep our school safe. Miss McKersie (our School Counsellor) and I have been visiting the learning spaces across the school focussing on the importance of online safety, positive relationships and anti-bullying. During these workshops we have explained that bullying has 3 main features:
- It involves a misuse of power in a relationship;
- It involves behaviours that can cause harm; and
- It is ongoing and repeated.
These sessions have also focussed on the different types of bullying including physical, social, cyber and verbal bullying. We workshopped ways they can respond if they see or if they experience bullying. The following are some of the strategies that were discussed:
It it happens in person, try these strategies:
- Ignore them (try not to show any reaction);
- Tell them to stop and then walk away;
- Pretend you don’t care;
- Go somewhere safe; and/or
- Get support from your friends.
Remember, different things work for different types of bullying.
If it happens online, try these strategies:
- Avoid responding to the bullying;
- Block and report anyone who is bullying online; and
- Protect yourself online – use privacy settings and keep records.
If you see someone being bullied:
- Leave negative online conversations – don’t join in; and
- Support others being bullied.
If it doesn’t stop:
- Talk to an adult (parent, teacher) who can help stop the bullying; and
- Keep asking for support until the bullying stops.
‘Bullying No Way’ advises parents that if your child talks to you about bullying:
- Listen calmly and get the full story;
- Reassure and ask your child what they want to do about it and how you can help;
- Contact your child’s Class Teacher;
- Visit www.bullynoway.gov.au to find some strategies; and check in regularly with your child.
Let's all take a stand together every day to say Bullying. No Way!
Further reading:
Kids Helpline www.kidshelpline.com.au 1800 551 800
Headspace www.headspace.org.au 1800 650 890
Online bullying www.esafety.gov.au
Take a Stand Together is a free app that has tips and advice about bullying for young people.
The Allen Adventure is an interactive story for children to help develop social skills.
For more information, read our Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” Matthew 7:12
