Why is it important to prevent bullying?

It is widely recognised that bullying in schools can have serious effects both now and in the future for the victim, passive by-stander and perpetrator.

At Glen Waverley, we believe that parents, teachers and children working together with a common understanding and a common purpose, can create an environment where bullying has no place.

Bullying is not acceptable at Glen Waverley

What is bullying?

Bullying is intentional, hurtful, threatening and controlling behaviour that is repeated over time. Bullying is not treating others with the dignity and respect they deserve and can create unnecessary and often destructive conflict for anyone involved.

Bullying can include...

• fighting, pushing, shoving
• invading someone's space
• rude gesturing
• name calling, teasing, taunting
• spreading rumours
• making threats
• damaging personal items
• sneering "the look"
• taunts based on race, gender or looks
• laughing at, making fun of, making faces
• ignoring or excluding
• writing personal graffiti
• writing offensive notes
• sending unwanted e-mails
• giving unwanted attention
• making unwanted telephone calls
• sending unwanted telephone text messages

What are your children's rights?

• To learn and play in a secure environment
• To feel a sense of belonging in the school community
• To be valued socially
• To be listened to

What are their responsibilities?

• To treat others with respect and dignity
• To refuse to participate in or watch bullying behaviours
• To follow the school rules and use appropriate behaviour
• To report inappropriate behaviour

Possible Signs of Bullying

Children may:

• complain of minor ailments such as headaches or upset stomach, feel sick in the mornings
• not want to go to school
• be frightened of walking to or from school or ask to be driven
• participate less in school/class activities
• come home with cuts and bruises, lost lunch money, damage to clothes and property
• become withdrawn, lack confidence, start stuttering
• cry themselves to sleep, suffer from sleeplessness and nightmares
• start bedwetting
• ask for (or start stealing) extra money
• refuse to talk about what is wrong
• become aggressive or unreasonable
• make unlikely excuses for behaviour

For Students

What should you do if you feel you are being bullied?

• Tell the person that their behaviour upsets or offends you. They may not realise this.
• Be assertive - say "no" like you mean it.
• Use your anti-bullying shield.
• Ask an adult for support - speak with a teacher or parent with whom you feel comfortable.

What could you do if you see or hear others being bullied?

• Support the person being bullied and encourage them to report it.
• Speak to a member of Staff about it.
• If you are confident, speak to the bully about the problems they are causing.

What should you do if you are a bully?

• Think about other's points of view
• Think about why you are behaving this way
• Talk to someone you respect about your behaviour and possible ways to change it
• Think about the effect bullying has on the person being bullied

What will the school do?

Glen Waverley Primary School is a safe and caring school offering a supportive environment that is focussed on resolution, rather than finding or assigning blame. The aim is to find solutions in a non-confrontational manner that enables the bullied student and the bully to co-exist. To ensure this, the school will:

• take a proactive approach to the prevention of bullying by educating the school community
• develop procedures to deal with bullying incidents
• listen to all students involved in incidents of bullying behaviour and treat those involved with respect and dignity
• communicate significant concerns to parents

The internet offers an exciting world of experiences for children and the whole family. It can be entertaining, educational and rewarding—and provides countless opportunities to create, connect and communicate.  However, just as in the real world, these rapidly developing technologies also have risks and challenges.   More on ................  Cyber Bullying