Anti-Bulling Policy

Every person at Rossmoyne SHS has a right to feel safe. Any person who bullies another is denying them that right. The school will not tolerate any action that undermines a person’s right to feel safe.



What Is Bullying

Bullying is any deliberate act that causes hurt or fear in another person. It is not where two people of equal size have a conflict. It may be;

• a physical attack on the person or their property.
• verbal teasing or insulting.
• Indirect, such as spreading rumours, excluding people from groups, or manipulation of others to mistreat another student.

Collective Responsibility

The school expects every person to take responsibility for preventing bullying.
Students who witness bullying are encouraged to intervene, providing that their safety and welfare is not put at risk. Students who witness bullying are encouraged to report the matter to an appropriate staff member for further action.

Parents are encouraged to;

• listen sympathetically to reports of bullying and contact appropriate staff members at school.
• work with the school in seeking a permanent solution.

School Response to Bullying

Through its form program where appropriate, the school will inform all students of ways to prevent bullying. Staff will listen to reports of bullying and act to protect the victim from further harm. Students who are bullied are encouraged to speak to a staff member they trust giving full details of the incident. The staff member who receives this information will pass on the details to the appropriate Deputy Principal and/or Student Services personnel.

As a starting point the school uses the ‘no blame approach’, mediation and empowering the victim program when bullying incidents are reported. Parents are informed that their child has been involved in a mediation process. Bullies are assisted to change their behaviour. Parents of the victim are assisted to encourage their child to develop strategies to avoid future bullying.

If the behaviour is repeated, sanctions will be applied. Parents will be involved in the development of a behaviour management plan. The school will also refer cases to appropriate external agencies for ongoing support and counselling.

Consequences

Students who do not modify their bullying behaviours face the following consequences;

• detention.
• Suspension.
• exclusion. In cases of serious assault police intervention may be deemed necessary.