Policy Statement on Bullying
Mission
St Mary’s College is a Catholic school which
provides education from K-12. It caters for diverse educational, spiritual
and cultural needs of students by promoting self esteem and
initiative.
Vision
Our vision is the educational, spiritual and social
development of each individual in our College
community fostered by a Christian spirit of
acceptance and celebration.
We recognise the pastoral needs of each member of our community and endeavour to create a safe and happy environment free from all forms of bullying and harassment.
The right of every member of the St Mary’s College Community to a safe
and happy learning environment is essential. Where there are ‘rights’
there are equal and corresponding ‘responsibilities’ and clear guidelines
as to acceptable behaviour at the College.
The Nature of the Problem
Bullying may be defined as inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour leading to physical or psychological harm by a more powerful individual or group against a less powerful individual or group.
Verbal Bullying:
Comments relating to a person’s colour, race, religion,
gender, social background, sexual or political preference, e.g. name
calling, teasing, unwanted criticism or intimidating
remarks and threats.
Non-Verbal Bullying:
Intimidating or offensive gestures or signs directed
towards a person or group. A ‘look’ may also be
intimidating.
Physical Bullying:
Physical action or contact which
threatens or intimidates, e.g. shoving, fighting, damaging work or property,
or theft of property.
Extortion Bullying:
Threatening behaviour against less powerful individuals
or groups.
Exclusion Bullying:
Verbal or physical attempts to exclude an
individual or group.
Written Bullying:
Writing offensive notes about another
individual or group.
Sexual Harassment:
An unwelcome sexual advance, personally directed,
uninvited physical contact or comments of a sexual
nature, e.g. derogatory comments of a sexual nature, intimidating remarks,
offensive or demeaning materials, uninvited acts of physical intimacy.
Racial Harassment:
Verbal or physical behaviour which
denigrates on the basis of race or ethnic background, e.g.
derogatory remarks of a racial nature, exclusion based on background.
Racial Harassment is often disguised as humour but
carries the weight of serious attack or intimidation.
Strategies that will be used at St Mary’s College to deter bullying:
Empower victims of bullying and ensure their future safety through the implementation of Resilience Action Plan.
Give bullies the opportunity to address their unacceptable behaviour. In keeping with the Managing Student Behaviour Policy.
Active supervision in the school yard.
Awareness raising exercises in the curriculum about the impact of bullying
and conflict
resolution.
Small group and individual counselling of victims of bullying.
Counselling of students who bully others and encouragement for them to change their behaviour.
“Bullying is an action reflecting on attitude. It is the abuse of power.”
PARENTS, You can help!
Continue to show interest:
in what your child does at school;
in your child’s academic, social, cultural and sporting life.
Foster a welcome and tolerant home environment:
accept and tolerate differences in others;
as parents you are the most influential
models for your child.
Encourage your child’s self-esteem:
value your child for who he/she is;
be positive in the things you say and do;
nurture your child’s positive qualities.
Discuss issues openly:
discuss the morality of bullying;
discuss the College’s expectations about
behaviour;
discuss action plan on how your child could
respond to bullying;
discuss what your child could do as a witness to bullying.
Be observant. Look out for warning signs such as:
unwillingness to attend school;
declining academic performance;
loss of self confidence;
loss of interest in social events.
If your child reports being bullied, treat the concern seriously. Encourage
your child to talk about how he/she is feeling about the situation.
Resilience Action Plan (RAP)
Designed to Empower Victims
IF YOU DO NOT FEEL SAFE YOU CAN
1. Ignore behaviour and show it doesn’t upset you.
Unwanted behaviour stops. You begin to feel safe.
If behaviour continues
2. If you feel comfortable approach the person
who is making you feel unsafe and tell the person that the behaviour is unwanted.
Unwanted behaviour stops. You begin to feel safe.
If behaviour continues
3. Talk it over with someone you can trust to help you, e.g.
- Parents - Homeroom Teacher
- Friends - Home Liaison Officer
- Staff Member - College Chaplain
- Senior Students
- Student Council Representative
Unwanted behaviour stops. You begin to feel safe.
If behaviour continues
4. Go to a Head of Campus.
Talk openly about the problem.
Allow the Head of Campus to liaise with the Principal to take suitable action,
e.g.
- disciplinary action
- referral to Community Police
- referral to Department for Community
Development
SANCTIONS FOR BULLY
Counselling for bully.
Parental involvement with the
College.
Range of sanctions including detention
and loss of privileges.
Community care of suspension.
College exclusion if bully fails to
respond to other measures.
St Mary’s College
PO Box 1000
BROOME WA 6725
Telephone: (08) 9194 9500; Fax: (08) 9192 1797
Email: admin@stmarysbroome.wa.edu.au
Web: www.stmarysbroome.wa.edu.au