Bullying

Van Walleghem School ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Statement of Intent
We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all so they can work and learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our school. If bullying does occur, all students and parents should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING school. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the staff.

What Is Bullying?
Bullying is a conscious, wilful and deliberate hostile activity intended to harm and induce fear through the threat of further aggression. Bullying generally involves a real or perceived imbalance of power, with the more hurtful child or group attacking those who are less powerful.

Bullying can be:
• Emotional being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding books, threatening gestures)
• Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
• Racist racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
• Sexual unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
• Homophobic because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality
• Verbal name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing

Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?
Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Pupils who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.

Schools have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this Policy
• All staff, students and parents will have an understanding of what bullying is.
• All staff will know what the school policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.
• All students and parents will know what the school policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises
• As a school we take bullying seriously. Individuals will be supported when bullying is reported.
• Bullying will not be tolerated.

Signs and Symptoms
A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child:
• is frightened of walking to or from school
• doesn't want to go on the school / public bus
• begs to be driven to school
• changes their usual routine
• is unwilling to go to school (school phobic)
• becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
• starts stammering
• attempts or threatens suicide or runs away
• cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
• feels ill in the morning
• begins to do poorly in school work
• comes home with clothes torn or books damaged
• has possessions go "missing"
• asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully)
• has dinner or other monies continually "lost"
• has unexplained cuts or bruises
• comes home starving (money / lunch has been stolen)
• becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
• is bullying other children or siblings
• stops eating
• is frightened to say what's wrong
• gives improbable excuses for any of the above

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated

Procedures
1. Report suspected bullying incidents to staff
2. In cases of bullying, the incidents will be recorded by staff on an office Behaviour Incident Form and brought to the attention of the administration
3. The severity and seriousness of the bullying will be assessed and the appropriate action taken. This may include the use of counselling practices, restitution, the loss of privileges, interviews with parents and possible suspension from school
4. If necessary and appropriate, the school will consult with any or all of the following: school psychologist, school division authorities, police
5. An attempt will be made to help the person or people who are bullying change their behaviour

Outcomes
1. The person or people who are bullying may be asked to genuinely apologize and make restitution. Other consequences may take place
2. If possible, the pupils will be reconciled
3. In serious cases, suspension or even expulsion will be considered
4. After the incident / incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.

Prevention
Staff at our school will do the following things to prevent bullying and help children feel safe at school:

* Work to develop a classroom culture that is inclusive, safe and caring for all.
* (Classroom Rights and Responsibilities / Classroom Credo)
* Model respectful communication and conflict resolution
* Teach and regularly review the School Wide Respect and Social Responsibility Expectations
* Teach the appropriate grade level component of the school Respect Program
* Closely supervise students in all areas of the school and playground

Students at our school will do the following things to prevent bullying:

* Treat each other respectfully (Kind and Helpful!)
* Try to include everyone in play
* Refuse to let others be bullied. “There are no innocent bystanders.”
* Report bullying to an adult

 Create your own free wiki!Support CommunityPublic, not yet premium Privacy Policy RSS