Wattle Grove Primary School has a commitment to providing a safe and supportive learning environment. This includes having a no tolerance approach to bullying within our school and behaviour management procedures. In conjunction with these procedures, we also endeavour to foster resilience, by teaching appropriate strategies for handling bullying situations and developing a stronger sense of self-esteem and confidence.
What is Bullying?
Despite varied definitions, it is generally agreed that three core elements exist in any bullying behaviour. These include:
- A deliberate intent to harm
- A power imbalance between the perpetrator and the victim
- Often repeated behaviour over time
Factors Contributing to Bullying
- Friendship breakdown
- High achievement (academic or other)
- Differences in physical appearance
- Sexual orientation
- Being new to an area or group
School bullying is a type of bullying that occurs in connection with education, either inside or outside of school. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or emotional and is usually repeated over a period of time.
Tips for Parents
- Ask your child what he or she thinks should be done. What's already been tried? What worked and what didn't?
- Seek help from your child's teacher or the school Administration.
- Don't encourage your child to fight back. Instead, suggest that he or she try walking away to avoid the bully, or that they seek help from a teacher or other adult.
- Help your child practice what to say to the bully so he or she will be prepared the next time.
- Help your child practice being assertive. The simple act of insisting that the bully leave him/her alone may have a surprising effect. Explain to your child that the bully's true goal is to get a response.
- Encourage your child to be with friends when travelling back and forth from school or on other outings. Bullies are less likely to pick on a child in a group.
Please refer to these websites for a “child friendly” way to discuss these issues with your child.
Cyberbullying | eSafety Commissioner