St Joseph’s has a responsibility to promote cultures of trust, co-operation and respect in the lived experience of the Catholic Christian setting. Bullying in a school mitigates such a culture and inhibits the development of positive relational outcomes for the common good of students, teachers and caregivers.
It is the goal at St Joseph’s to promote a safe environment, where individuals may grow and develop.
Definition
The National Safe Schools Framework (2011) defines bullying as repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological behaviour that is harmful and involves the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more persons.
Cyberbullying
“… any form of bullying that utilises technology such as instant messaging, online chat rooms, online bulletin boards and email. In many ways this is a more insidious form of bullying since it may reach into a victim’s home.” In other words, technology now allows the bully to inflict psychological harm on his or her victim anywhere and anytime without respite. (Schools and the Law – Des Butler and Ben Matthews, p. 46).
The school staff will:
- Respond to a student’s call for assistance, after his/her reporting of inappropriate behaviours in relation to all forms of bullying. (This includes the use of technology. Failure to take action may indicate a breach in the duty of care owed to the student.)
- Ensure children are taught appropriate curriculum issues in social skills including specific anti bullying lessons
- Be familiar with and follow school strategies in dealing with bullying
- Seek advice from their executive if they require confirmation or clarification regarding an incident of alleged bullying behaviour
- Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of school policies relating to bullying behaviour.
The students will:
- Promote positive relationships that respect and accept individual difference and diversity
- Follow the school procedures in reporting and responding to bullying behaviour
- Work collaboratively with staff and peers to resolve incidents of bullying
- Have an awareness and understanding of what constitutes bullying while being charged with the responsibility of being respectful of one another
- Participate in the annual evaluation of school anti-bullying processes and procedures.
Parents will:
- Listen to their children and gather factual details to pass on to the school
- Involve children in making decisions about what to do.