Katoomba High School 2012

Transcription

1 Katoomba High School 2012

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

3 Our School Anti-Bullying Plan A productive partnership between students, parents, staff and the community. 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. Students have the right to expect that they will spend the school day free from the fear of bullying, harassment and intimidation. Bullying is totally contrary to our school purpose and is not acceptable in any form. This plan is based on the DEC anti-bullying policy All the requirements of the DEC policy are mandatory for all staff. Introduction This policy should be read in conjunction with the Katoomba High School Welfare and Discipline Policy and the Policy for the Use of Mobile Phones, Portable Computer Games, MP3 Players/iPods, Cameras and Similar Devices in Schools by Students. Departmental policies and documents that should be referred to include Legal Issues Bulletin No 35, The Use of Mobile Phones, Portable Computer Games, Tape Recorders and Cameras in Schools, Legal Issues Bulletin No 42, Legal Issues Arising for Staff Subject to Cyber Bullying and Related Behaviour, the Student Welfare Policy, Values in NSW Public Schools and the Student Discipline in Government Schools Anti-bullying Plan for Schools. Protection Bullying is repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological behaviour that is harmful and involves the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more persons. Cyberbullying refers to bullying through information and communication technologies. Bullying can involve humiliation, domination, intimidation, victimisation and all forms of harassment including that based on sex, race, disability, homosexuality or transgender. Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved including bystanders. Conflict or fights between equals or single incidents are not defined as bullying. Statement of purpose Our school s purpose is to develop both academic and personal excellence, along with a strong sense of social responsibility. We strive for: A secure and inspiring learning environment for students and staff; Excellence in teaching and learning; The recognition and celebration of achievement and personal success; Fair and respectful treatment and equal opportunity for students and staff; Schools exist in a society where incidents of bullying behaviour may occur. Preventing and responding to bullying behaviour in learning and working environments is a shared responsibility of all departmental staff, students, parents, caregivers and members of the wider school community. All members of the school community contribute to the preventing bullying by modeling and promoting appropriate behaviour and respectful relationships. Katoomba High School Anti-bullying Plan NSW Department of Education and Communities

4 Bullying Behaviour Bullying is intentional, repeated behaviour by an individual or group of individuals that causes distress, hurt or undue pressure in others. Bullying involves the abuse of power in relationships. Bullying can involve all forms of harassment (including sex, race, disability, homosexuality or transgender), humiliation, domination and intimidation of others. Bullying behaviour includes: Bullying: Prevention verbal eg name calling, teasing, abuse, putdowns, sarcasm, insults, threats; physical eg hitting, punching, kicking, scratching, tripping, spitting; social eg ignoring, excluding, ostracising, alienating, making inappropriate gestures Psychological eg spreading rumours, dirty looks, hiding or damaging possessions, malicious SMS and messages, inappropriate use of camera phones. devalues, isolates, and frightens; affects an individual s ability to achieve; has long term effects on those engaged in bullying behaviour, those who are the subjects of bullying behaviour and the onlookers or bystanders. Strategies to prevent bullying The school implements a number of strategies to promote harmony and prevent bullying. These include: The learning experiences provided in all teaching programs across the curriculum address key understandings and skills relating to positive relationships, safety, gender equity, discrimination, bullying and harassment. A widely based student leadership program where many students have the opportunity develop and refine a range of skills including leadership, decision making, team work, and communication skills. Activities organized by the SRC and charity fund raising activities that foster positive relationships amongst students and a recognition of the needs of others. Student co-curricular activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme that provide students with the opportunity to assist others. The annual celebration of Harmony Day each March which is organized by student leaders. The Stage Four Transition Program where trained Year 10 and 11 students provide peer support to Year6 into Year 7 students Student training and participation in Peer Support programs. Team building and other activities at The Big Day In that build school culture SRC and Prefect forums where students are given the opportunity to discuss resilience, bullying and appropriate behavioural responses, whether they are the target of the bullying or an onlooker. Professional learning of teachers in conflict resolution strategies such as the Pikas Method of shared responsibility and Bill Rogers approaches to student management. Professional learning of teachers in utilising Mind Matters resources. Training of staff in Child Protection policy and procedures. Training of staff in the actions expected of them as part of this plan. Informing parents about student leadership and welfare programs through the school s student handbook and articles published in the parent newsletter. The Anti-Bullying Plan NSW Department of Education and Communities

5 Early Intervention Anti-bullying courses are run in stage 4 during PDHPE and LOTE lessons. School assemblies reinforce anti-bullying procedures and define bullying behaviour at least twice each semester. Vertical Roll Groups facilitate mentoring by older students. Anti - bullying posters are displayed around school. On going surveys and monitoring of bullying behaviour in the school. Incorporation of an anti-bullying component in the Peer Support Program. All staff and families are issued with the Katoomba High School Student Handbook. This details procedures for dealing with harassment and includes the role and responsibilities of students, parents and staff in resolution. Strategies to deal with bullying The school welfare and discipline policy apply in all cases of inappropriate behaviour, including bullying. Failure by a student to modify their bullying behaviour ultimately leads to suspension and expulsion in accordance with DEC policy. In all cases of suspension and expulsion, parents are advised of their appeal rights. The school has a range of strategies to deal with different types of conflict and bullying when they arise. Reporting and Intervention Fundamental to our policy is that students and parents will report all incidents of bullying. Specifically:- Incidents of bullying may be reported to any member of staff and/or trusted student friends or senior student. Parents should contact the Student Adviser or Head Teacher Welfare or Deputy Principal Procedures for Teachers Teachers will respond to all episodes of bullying in order to send a clear message that it is unacceptable. Different responses may be appropriate depending on the nature and degree of bullying. The bullying test will be used initially to determine if the incident is primarily bullying and if so the broad nature of the response. Step 1: The Bullying Test - teacher asks does the incident involve: teasing or aggressive words or actions? which are unprovoked? and intended to hurt, harm or frighten? If the answer is yes to all three questions then it is bullying. If it s not a bullying incident it could be: Conflict may require conflict resolution Discipline may require disciplinary action Learning may require learning support Welfare may require investigation or personal support or referral. Step 2: The Level Test - What level of seriousness is the Bullying incident? (high / low) Teachers will decide if the incident is a low or high level incident using the following guidelines. Katoomba High School Anti-bullying Plan NSW Department of Education and Communities

6 Low level - victim is not typically teased or harassed and / or - bully is not a repeat offender and / or - present lesson related to the issue, - gather information from other teachers at a team meeting, - discuss with the student advisors or other welfare staff. - bulling behaviour appears less harmful. High Level - victim is often harassed and / or - bully often engages in such behaviour and / or - bullying behaviour is causing distress or harm. If the incident is High level the teacher will use the RRR strategy. - Respond - reprimand and issue consequence - Report - complete incident report - Refer - bully and / or victim to Head Teacher Welfare or Deputy Principal Step 3: The Response. (SSS or RRR Strategy) If the incident is Low level the teacher will use the SSS strategy. - Spell it Out - what this behaviour is (Bullying) and what s wrong with it. - Signal - what will happen next time (ie: indicate consequences). - Support - the bullied student. The teacher may also determine other strategies such as: - speak to the whole class, - talk to bully / bullies after class, - warn and / or reprimand bullies, The teacher may also: - Discuss the issue with head teacher, student advisor or other welfare staff to refine anti-bullying strategy in that class. - Refer to the Deputy Principal or Head Teacher Welfare for a counsellor referral if there appear to be psychological issues for the bully. - Report immediately to the Deputy Principal if violence is involved (in accordance with the School Discipline Policy). Incident Reports Verbal reports of low level incidents of bullying can be made to head teachers, student advisors, student welfare / learning support team, team meetings etc. Written incident reports and RISC entries should be made for all high level bullying incidents The Anti-Bullying Plan NSW Department of Education and Communities

7 Procedures for Dealing with Bullying Where a student feels that he / she is a victim of bullying the student should: Stand their ground, speak calmly and firmly and tell the antagonist that the behaviour is unwelcome, and he / she wishes it to stop; If the behaviour continues report it to a teacher, Year Adviser, Head Teacher Welfare or Deputy or the school s ARCO officer; Not take retaliatory measures. S T U D E N T F E E L S S A F E STUDENT / PARENT Complaint regarding bullying behaviour Low Level Incident TEACHER Determines level of bullying Counsels all students involved and informs Year Adviser YEAR / STUDENT ADVISER Counsels; Monitors social progress; Retains written copies of all documents relating to incident in student file. RISC entry SCHOOL COUNSELLOR Counsels and assists with specific programs such as: Conflict Resolution; Anger Management/ Replacement; Pro-social skills training; Resilience building High Incidents HEAD TEACHER WELFARE or DEPUTY PRINCIPAL Counsels and cautions all students involved; RISC Letter sent to parents of bully; Year Adviser and Counsellor informed; Future behaviour of students monitored; School discipline procedures and welfare strategies applied. STAFF Observation of bullying behaviour ANTI- RACISM CONTACT OFFICER (ARCO) Parental Interviews; Further monitoring on school level system with possible suspension in cases of persistent bullying. OUTSIDE SERVICES Consulted if required

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9 Accessing help and support The Anti-bullying Policy recognises the right of all students to access help and support. Support can be gained from : Resources procedures outlined in the KHS Student Welfare and Discipline Policy Student Advisers School Counsellor A mentor from either students, staff or the community Printed resources available from the library The Bullying No Way website Communicating Departmental procedures (for students, parents and caregivers) LocPublic Schools NSW - Supporting Students - Student Wellbeing - Antibullying. 1.Cybersafety(Australian Resources) (UK Resources) (survey) 2. Wellbeing Australia Anti-bullying and Resilience Strategies 3. Other useful websites Content is located under Public Schools NSW Supporting Students Student Wellbeing Anti-bullying Telephone Kids Help Line (24 hours toll free) Evaluation This plan is evaluated as part of the regular cycle of school program evaluations. Data gathering includes statistics regarding incidents of bullying, student evaluations of bullying prevention strategies, and surveys such as the Quality of School Life Questionnaire. rbullying (US Resources)