Newington Public School

Transcription

1 f Newington Public School

2 Page 1 Our School Anti-Bullying Plan The Anti-Bullying Plan NSW Department of Education and Communities

3 Page 2 Our School Anti-Bullying Plan This plan outlines the processes for preventing and responding to student bullying in our school and reflects the Bullying: Preventing and Responding to Student Bullying in Schools Policy of the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities. Anti-bullying Plan This plan outlines the processes for preventing and responding to student bullying in our school and reflects the Bullying: Preventing and Responding to Student Bullying in schools Policy of the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities. This plan was developed in collaboration with parents, students, teachers of the Newington Public School community, the Learning Support Team and the Student Welfare Committee. In 2011 parents were invited to attend South Western Sydney Region s Safer Schools Conference along with the two Assistant Principals. As a result of the conference the plan was drafted and presented by the principal at a P&C in Term The plan will be implemented from February 2012 and evaluated on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed every two years. Statement of purpose Students attend Newington Public School to participate in quality education that will help them to become self directed, lifelong learners who can create a positive future for themselves and the wider community. Any inappropriate behaviour that interferes with this process at the school and/or with the wellbeing of students cannot be accepted, and needs to be managed and attract appropriate consequences. At Newington Public School we believe that: Public schools are inclusive environments, where diversity is affirmed and individual differences are respected. Quality education is provided for students to meet their learning needs in a secure, ordered and supportive environment. The focus of quality education is for students to learn and grow with confidence. Students develop best in schools where teaching and learning occur in a context of student welfare. The wellbeing, safety and health of students inform school policies, programs and practices. Partnership with parents, caregivers, students and the wider community is central to the success of this process. We should create a culture where it is acceptable and encouraged to report incidents of bullying. We can empower students by listening to their experiences and allowing them to feel that they can be in control of what happens to them at school. Students, teachers, parents, caregivers and members of the wider school community can expect: that students will be safe at school, free from the fear of bullying, harassment, intimidation and victimisation; to be involved in the collaborative development of the school Anti- Bullying Plan; to know what is expected of them and others in relation to the Anti- Bullying Plan; and all students to be provided with appropriate support if and when bullying occurs. Students, teachers, parents, caregivers and members of the wider school community have a responsibility to: promote positive relationships that respect and accept individual differences and diversity within the whole school community; contribute to the development of the Anti-Bullying Plan and support it through words and actions; and actively work together to resolve incidents of bullying behaviour if and when they occur. School Anti-bullying Plan NSW Department of Education and Communities

4 Page 3 What is Bullying? Defining Bullying Behaviour Bullying can be defined as intentional, repeated behaviour by an individual or group of individuals that is intended to cause distress, hurt or undue pressure. Bullying involves the abuse of power in relationships. Bullying can involve all forms of harassment (including that based on sex, race, disability, sexuality or transgender), humiliation, domination, intimidation and victimisation of others. It is important to remember that children are still learning about themselves and others; about how to be and have a friend; and what are appropriate and inappropriate ways to solve problems and manage their feelings. Children can and do make mistakes and behave poorly without this being bullying, as we are defining in this plan. Bullying behaviour can be in the following forms: 1. Physical e.g. hitting, punching, kicking, scratching, tripping, spitting 2. Verbal e.g. name calling, teasing, abuse, putdowns, sarcasm, insults, threats 3. Social/ psychological e.g. ignoring, excluding, ostracising, alienating, making inappropriate gestures, starting rumours, gossiping about or embarrassing someone 4. Cyber (online Bullying) which refers to verbal and indirect social/psychological bullying through information and communication technologies. This can be in the form of: spreading rumours, hiding or damaging possessions, malicious SMS and/or messages, inappropriate use of camera phones, hacking of online accounts, social media / blogging comments and posts. Bullying behaviour typically contains seven elements 1. An initial desire to hurt. 2. Bullying desire is acted out-some form of bullying is perpetrated. 3. This action is hurtful. 4. There is an imbalance of power-the bullying behaviour is stronger and more powerful than the victim s behaviour, either physically or psychologically. 5. There is no justification for the action-i.e. the victim has done nothing to deserve such treatment. 6. It is persistent and repeated. 7. The person bullying derives enjoyment from hurting the victim. The Anti-Bullying Plan NSW Department of Education and Communities

5 Page 4 Prevention of cyber-bullying In relation to cyber-bullying, students and the community are encouraged to take a stand against cyber-bullying. The school community is informed through newsletter snippets and articles. Students are taught lessons throughout the school year regarding cyber / technology safety strategies to minimise risk of bullying i.e. Only give your mobile number to trusted friends, never tell friends your passwords, do not respond to s from unknown addresses, notify adults of suspicious / abusive material and/or messages. Protective Strategies for parents (Cyber bullying) Talk to your child Discuss online safety and reassure your child that you are there to help if they need it. Offensive Websites If you are concerned about offensive websites, contact the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) who will investigate the matter. Report harassment or threats Report incidents of online harassment to your local police and your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If your child is bullied through a mobile device, report the problem to your mobile carrier (phone company). They can assist in blocking messages / calls from certain senders. Provide safe and supervised access Keep your family computer in a high traffic area so you can keep an eye on your child s technology use. Install safety software on your computer. For example, anti-virus, spyware, firewall and filters. Monitor technology use Take an interest in what your child is doing online. Remind your child of stranger danger, they might think that they are talking to another student but it could be an adult. At school If you are aware of school-related bullying issues, encourage your child to notify a trusted adult at school or notify the school yourself. School Anti-bullying Plan NSW Department of Education and Communities

6 Page 5 Protection Each group within the school community has a specific role in preventing and dealing with bullying. Students can expect to: know that their concerns will be responded to by school staff; be provided with appropriate support (for both the subjects of, and those responsible for, the behaviour); and participate in learning experiences that address key understandings and skills relating to positive relationships, safety, gender equity, discrimination, bullying and harassment. These experiences will be guided by the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education syllabus, Values Education and other Key Leaning Areas. Students have a responsibility to: behave appropriately, respecting individual differences and diversity; follow the school Anti-Bullying Plan; and respond to incidents of bullying according to the Anti-Bullying Plan. Parents and caregivers have a responsibility to: support their children in all aspects of their learning be aware of the school Anti-Bullying Plan and assist their children in understanding bullying behaviour; support their children in developing positive and appropriate responses to incidents of bullying consistent with the school Anti- Bullying Plan; and support all students of the school to deal effectively and appropriately with bullying through the strategies of the Anti- Bullying Plan. Schools have a responsibility to: develop an Anti-Bullying Plan through consultation with parents, caregivers, students and the community which clearly identifies both the behaviours that are unacceptable and the strategies for dealing with bullying in the classroom and playground; inform students, parents, caregivers and the community about the School Discipline Code or School Rules and Anti-Bullying Plan; provide students with strategies to respond positively to incidents of bullying behaviour, including the responsibilities of bystanders and observers; provide parents, caregivers and students with clear information on strategies that promote appropriate behaviour and the consequences for inappropriate behaviour; and communicate to parents and caregivers that they have an important role to play in resolving incidents of bullying behaviour involving their children and to follow up complaints of bullying, harassment, intimidation and victimisation. Teachers have a responsibility to: respect and support students in all aspects of their learning; model appropriate behaviour; and respond in an appropriate and timely manner to incidents or bullying, according to the school Anti-Bullying Plan. Role of the teacher Role of teachers receiving a report of bullying Determine whether report is of bullying, poor skills or rule breakingthis may be a one off situation or an ongoing one. The teacher deals with the incident using various strategies. Record details, noting details of incident, victim and others involved. Give information to classroom teacher for possible further follow up. Early Intervention Those students, who are at risk of being ongoing victims of bullying type behaviour, will be encouraged to report directly and immediately to a member of staff when they feel either and / or intimidated. Parents will to be informed so that they too can reinforce strategies taught with their child. These early intervention arrangements for students at risk will be communicated to all teaching staff. The Anti-Bullying Plan NSW Department of Education and Communities

7 Page 6 Managing Bullying Strategies to Prevent Bullying Implementing the school s Values Education program, supported by the Values in Action behaviour awards system; Implementing the school s Cyber-bullying posters and program; Newsletter articles highlighting the Value of the Week, so that families can support positive attitudes and behaviours at home; emphasising The High 5 of Bullying implementing Child Protection, Social Skills, Bounce Back and Buddy Programs; encouraging staff vigilance and action (e.g. recording significant offences) in classrooms, at assemblies, moving to and from classrooms and on the playground; raising community awareness; and gathering and recording data. Strategies to Manage Bullying Students: implement Strategies to Prevent Bullying ; The High Five of Bullying 1. Ignore 2. Walk away 3. Take a deep breath and talk friendly 4. Look directly into the eyes of the person attempting to bully you and talk firmly to them and say Stop that, I don t like it 5. Go directly to a teacher if the attempts to stop the bullying behaviour don t work. report any form of bullying to teachers or adults; and abide by the Students Code of Behaviour and the school s Values System; Staff: address the behaviour, and its underlying factors, of the bully and support the victim; listen to concerns; implement the Student Welfare Policy for dealing with inappropriate behaviour; encourage students to inform staff telling is not dobbing; continually monitor in order to review and renew school policies as appropriate; and provide ongoing and regular communication between key staff members and the students and parents of those involved. Parents and Caregivers: maintain contact and communication with school staff; Support the development of behaviours and attitudes in their children which are consistent with our school s Values; and Support their children in developing positive responses to incidents of bullying, consistent with the school s Anti-Bullying Plan. Monitoring and Evaluating Each term, the executive will review the playground behaviour books to monitor the level of bullying across the school identifying: bullying behaviour by groups or individuals; types of bullying; and playground areas of concern. Response Incidents of bullying can be reported immediately to any staff member, principal or executive by students and/or their parents. Any bullying incidents will be investigated and recorded by the principal and/or executive staff. Consequences for the perpetrators of substantiated bullying will be imposed as outlined in the school s discipline policy and / or strategies outlined in this policy. Role of the Teacher Responding to Reported Incidents of Bullying Children involved, speak with staff, executive member or principal about the incident. If clearly substantiated, and depending on the nature / severity of the incident a student responsible for bullying; Consequences will be determined in line with the Newington Public School Discipline Policy. School Anti-bullying Plan NSW Department of Education and Communities

8 Page 7 Reporting Incidents of Cyberbullying If students are being harassed online, they are encouraged to take the following actions immediately; Tell a trusted adult; a teacher, parent(s), older sibling, grandparent someone who can help you do something about it. Leave the area and / or stop the activity Block user messages if you are being harassed through / instant messaging Never reply to harassing messages Keep a record. Save any harassing messages. Advise your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Phone Company. Most service providers have appropriate use policies that restrict users from harassing others. They can respond to reports of harassment over their networks, or help you track down the appropriate agency to report to. Report incidents to police if bullying includes physical threats. Tell the police. Some people believe they can get away with serious threats because it is anonymous. They are wrong. Most can be traced and is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone or any form of communication to menace, harass or offend another person. Evaluating the Program The plan and strategies put in place will be evaluated on an ongoing basis and will be formally reviewed every two years. Additional Information Additional information, resources and support relating to effective antibullying strategies can be found at: Kids Help Line Bullying. No way! Reach out! Bullying Among Young Children: A Guide for Parents by The Australian Principal s comment At Newington Public School the school and community work together to ensure that all students are treated fairly and equitably; are supported and respected and are educated in an environment where differences are valued and celebrated. The school actively seeks to ensure all students receive an education which caters to their individual learning needs in a supportive and safe environment. The views, values and beliefs of parents, caregivers, teachers and students are reflected in this policy. Ian Adamson Principal Helen Mantzikopoulos / Paul Keevers Assistant Principals School contact information Newington Public School Newington Boulevarde, Newington NSW 217 Ph: (02) Fax: (02) Newington-p.schools@det.nsw.edu.au Web: The Anti-Bullying Plan NSW Department of Education and Communities