Bullying Policy

Bullying

Background: Lakeland Senior High School is committed to providing a safe, caring and positive learning environment. All school community members have a right to feel safe, supported and respected within the school environment. For this to occur we all have a responsibility to treat others with respect and to prevent and respond to reports and observations of bullying.

Policy Statement: Lakeland Senior High School takes a restorative and solution-focused approach to addressing bullying behaviour. The emphasis is on developing empathy, restoring relationships and building resilience among school community members. Students who bully others are a small minority and the collective actions of bystanders do work very effectively to prevent and minimize bullying.

Definitions: Bullying is when an individual or group misuses power to target another individual or group to intentionally threaten or harm them on an ongoing basis. This may involve verbal, physical, relational and psychological forms of bullying and bullying type behaviours. Student conflicts, even where harsh words are exchanged may not be bullying.

  • Verbal Bullying – On-going and repeated use of words to hurt or humiliate another individual or group, which includes put-downs, insulting language, name calling, swearing, nasty notes and homophobic, racist or sexist comments.
  • Psychological Bullying – Includes repeated stalking, threats or implied threats, unwanted email or text messaging, abusive websites, threatening gestures, manipulation, emotional blackmail, and threats to an individual’s reputation and sense of safety.
  • Physical Bullying – includes repetitive low level hitting, kicking , pinching, pushing, tripping “ganging up” unwanted physical or sexual touching and damage to personal property.
  • Cyber Bullying – use of information and communication technologies such as email, text messages social media instant messaging and websites to engage in the bullying of other individuals or groups.

Procedures/ Process

The SEL program at Lakeland Senior High School is a whole school approach to support student Personal and Social capabilities around the five key areas. Responsible Decision Making, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship skills. This is a prevention approach. During SEL time, the Program Coordinators (PC) adapt and change the program to respond to the cohort need. Analysing behaviour trends and responding to incidents in a collaborative problem-solving solution focussed program.

When bullying has been made known to staff, this will be referred to the appropriate PC to support the student and implement restorative approaches with the students such as mediation.

Students Role

  • Treat others with care and respect
  • Seek help or guidance from a trusted adult if being bullied
  • Respond effectively to observed bullying, reporting all incidents of bullying. Bystanders do not quietly watch bullying take place and do not reinforce the bullying behaviour with laughter, verbal encouragement or by repeating rumours. Instead, they tell a person who is bullying to stop it. They can go further by explaining why their actions or language may be hurtful or offensive
  • Stick to plans which have been put in place
  • Never react to bullies in an aggressive, threatening or physical manner. Responding to bullies in this way can encourage further bullying and make resolution difficult
  • Use social media responsibly

Parents Role

  • To work in partnership with the school in helping to resolve issues.
  • To supervise and monitor their child’s use of social media.
  • To understand that the school is not responsible for managing bullying issues that take place out of school hours. Eg. weekends, holidays
  • Parents should not approach the other student, either directly or through social media, as this can escalate the problem. Work with the school.
  • Encourage the child to report any bullying to a trusted staff member as soon as it is noticed. Students often find it difficult to respond without help.
  • If the child is unwilling to report to a teacher, or if the issue continues after the initial report has been made, then the parent is to contact the relevant Program Coordinator.

Teachers Role

  • Promote and model positive relationships and respect for others.
  • Participate in implementing the school plan to counter bullying.
  • Teach students how to respond effectively to bullying.
  • Promote social problem solving with students.
  • Be a role-model in how to positively develop relationships and interact socially.
  • Support and encourage children to treat others with care and respect.
  • Monitor children’s access to internet and mobile phones.
  • Use restorative justice approaches to support students to assist with bullying and conflicts.
  • Act in accordance to the school plan if there is concern a child is being bullied or engaging in bullying behaviour.

Related Policy:

  • Lakeland Senior High School Values
  • Lakeland Senior High School Beliefs & Code of Expectation
  • DOE Student Behaviour Policy
  • DOE Physical Contact with Students Guideline
  • DOE Managing Student Behaviour Guideline

Responsible Party:

Implementation by staff at Lakeland Senior High School.