Bullying behaviour has three key features. It involves the intentional misuse of power in a relationship. It is ongoing and repeated, and it involves behaviours that can cause harm. The NSW Department of Education requires all NSW public schools to have an Anti-bullying Plan which details the strategies implemented to reduce student bullying behaviours.
Reporting bullying online
Step 1. Fill in a bullying incidence report either online (below) or in person at the Hub. You can access the online link by clicking the button above.
Step 2. Year Advisor (or other designated staff member if year advisor is not available) will meet with the student who was been bullied. This is to determine the level of intervention required and obtain further information in respect to the report.
Following this, the teacher will meet with the other student and from there determine a course of action. This may look like mediation, a casual agreement or a formal anti-bullying plan depending on the scenario.
Parents/carers from both involved parties will be contacted to advise of the plan.
Step 3. If bullying continues, the Head Teacher of Wellbeing or other designated staff member will investigate the claims and speak to the students involved. Student/s may be placed on an Orange PBL behaviour monitoring card at this step, and parents or carer may be invited in to discuss the issue if deemed appropriate.
Step 4. If bullying continues, the Deputy Principal will sit with the students involved. The Deputy may make a safety plan that provides directions and instructions to students and staff in respect to how they can interact. Parents/carers will be provided a copy of the safety plan.
Step 5. If the safety plan is breached, the Deputy Principal may issue a formal caution of suspension and a Red Card to monitor behaviour. Parents/carers will be contacted to inform of this caution. They will be invited to come in and review or develop a behaviour support plan.
Note:
Staff will be advised of anti-bullying plans, safety plans and sent an email to inform them of any changes or supports they need to place in their classrooms or the playground to ensure the safety of all students
Open communication with the community is important as many of these incidences of bullying are happening outside of school and on social media. As part of the plans developed, parents and carers may be asked to support the student/s in making positive choices outside of school to resolve the issue/s.
The school is also exploring option of outside supports that we can bring in to educated students, staff and the community on how to tackle bullying.