LEUMEAH HIGH SCHOOL
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
OVERVIEW
All students have the right to a safe and secure school environment free from bullying and harassment. Students attend school to participate in quality education that will help them become lifelong learners who can create a positive future for themselves and the wider community. Any inappropriate behaviour such as bullying of any kind can interrupt the teaching and learning that takes place at Leumeah High School and interferes with the wellbeing of students; this cannot and will not be accepted. We recognise that bullying does occur and we work to promote a culture which rejects bullying and provides support to any members of the school community who are bullied. Bullying behaviour is recognised as being anti-social and unacceptable. Procedures are outlined in the accompanying Anti-Bullying Plan for reporting bullying and responding to incidents.
The school aims to work with students, teachers and the community to raise awareness, encourage reporting, prevent bullying and to promote the values of tolerance and respect as well as the valuing of difference and diversity.
This policy applies to all members of the school community which includes students, teaching and non-teaching staff, parents / caregivers and visitors to the school. All members of the school community share responsibility for supporting and promoting these objectives. They also have the right to be involved in ongoing collaboration to develop strategies to support the anti-bullying plan.
DEFINITION OF BULLYING
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. Bullying can involve humiliation, domination, intimidation, victimisation and all forms of harassment including that based on gender, race, disability, sexuality, religion, physical appearance and age. Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved including bystanders.
Conflicts or fights between equals or single incidents are not defined as bullying.
Types of bullying:
• Cyber bullying – refers to bullying using information and communication technologies such as SMS, chat rooms, emails or websites.
• Verbal bullying - such as name calling or put downs, threats, teasing, including sexual harassment and innuendo (it might also be extended to written form through email or sms).
• Physical bullying - being punched, tripped, kicked or having your belongings stolen or damaged. It might also include sexual abuse.
• Social bullying - being left out, ignored or having rumours spread about a student.
• Psychological bullying – can include being given dirty looks or stalked, often less obvious or direct than other forms of bullying or making a student feel intimidated or manipulated.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITES
This anti-bullying policy has been developed in collaboration with teachers, students and parents / caregivers and will be revised as the need arises, in order to reflect the emerging needs of the Leumeah High School community.
Members of the school community have a right to:
- be safe at school, free from fear of bullying, harassment and intimidation,
- know that their concerns will be responded to,
- be provided with appropriate support.
Members of the school community have a responsibility to:
- refrain from engaging in bullying behaviours,
- report bullying of self and / or others,
- assist in implementing the school's anti-bullying plan.
SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES
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School Responsibilities
• Provide access to the anti-bullying policy and school code of conduct to all members of the school community via school website, hard copies (available on request) and summary statement (via newsletter).
• Involve staff, parents and external support agencies in developing and revising consistent procedures across the school for responding to and documenting bullying.
• Clarify roles of student support staff including Year Advisers, Head Teachers and Head Teacher Welfare, School Counsellors and Anti-Racism Officer.
• Program specific activities in classes, across grades and for the whole school community which promote values associated with anti-bullying.
• Provide support and guidance to targets of bullying.
• Provide intervention with individuals who bully others.
• Respond to complaints or suggestions about procedures for specific handling of matters according to DET complaints procedures.
Teacher Responsibilities
• Model anti-bullying attitudes and behaviour.
• Encourage the teaching of tolerance, respect and valuing of difference and diversity through Key Learning Areas.
• Listen to and respond to reports of bullying. Provide support and refer as needed.
• Implement the school code of conduct and anti-bullying policy.
Parent Responsibilities
• Support the values of tolerance and respect in the home.
• Encourage children to exercise these values in all contexts, including at school, and support their children to become responsible citizens and to develop responsible on-line behaviour.
• Report bullying and encourage their child to do so.
• Provide support and encourage their child to seek help.
• Work with the school to resolve bullying issues.
Student Responsibilities
• Behave appropriately in accordance with Leumeah High School's PRAC Code of Conduct
• Show respect for all members of the school community.
• Seek help if you are bullied – speak to someone you trust to get help
• Report if you are bullied – tell a parent or teacher
• Speak out against bullying and report it when you see it.
• Make bullies aware that their behaviour is unacceptable.
• Support students who are bullied.
• Step in when witnessing an act of bullying – don't encourage by standing aside watching and laughing.
Responding to Bullying and Anti-Bullying Strategies
Details of procedures for responding to bullying and the implementation of Anti-Bullying strategies are outlined in the School's Anti-Bullying Plan, which should be read in conjunction with this policy. The Leumeah High School Anti-Bullying Plan is reviewed annually in Term 4 by the Welfare Team and the review is made available to the school community through the school's website, the LINK newsletter and at a P&C meeting. Details of the review process also form part of the Anti-Bullying Plan.