what is bullying?
Standard 3.3 of the Bullying: Preventing and Responding to Student Bullying in Schools Policy dictates that “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 sex, race, disability, homosexuality or transgender. Conflict of fights between equals or single incidents is not defined as bullying” (NSW Government Education & Communities 2014, p.1).
signs of bullying
Signs for Teachers to Look Out for:
- Students becoming aggressive and unreasonable
- Students starting to get into fights
- Students that refuse to talk about what is wrong
- School grades begin to fall.
- Student is often alone or excluded from friendship groups at school
- Student is a frequent target for teasing, mimicking or ridicule at school
- Change in the student's ability or willingness to speak up in class and appears insecure or frightened
reasons for the behaviourththththe escwhy wh
tips for teachers
Strategies to address bullying include:
- Develop a classroom that celebrates differences and is inclusive of all students.
- If you see bullying occurring stop it immediately e.g., refer to school rules regarding bullying, stand between the students.
- Support the child being bullied by approaching them at some point in private to make sure he/she is okay.
- Report any incidences of bullying to colleagues and parents.
- Impose consequences immediately, however be consistent.
- Model appropriate behaviour for students.
- Have knowledge of school and department polices regarding anti-bullying.
- Develop classroom rules with students so they may take some ownership and responsibly for their actions.
- Teach students that they should stand up for themselves and how to do this in a safe way (refer below to tips for students)
- Show students respect and encourage positive behaviour.
- Make expectations of positive behaviour clear.
- Reward positive behaviour: 4-5 affirms of good behaviour to every 1 criticism.
- Provide feedback to students one-on-one.
- Help student correct their behaviour through feedback.
- Hold classroom meeting to talk about any issues in the school, that way teachers can stay informed about anything going on and may help students feel safe and supported.
tips for students
If you are being bullied, and you feel safe to do so:
- Say 'No!' or ‘Stop it!’ firmly
- Walk away
- Try to act unaffected or ignore the person
- Talk to a trusted adult at the school or at home
- Ask friends, parents or teachers for their help to deal with the issue safely.
cyber-safety
Cyber-bullying is becoming more and more prevalent. It involves the use of technology to bully an individual or group via the internet to cause grief or harm. This may result in social, psychological or physical harm. It is important teachers be aware and take action immediately when it comes to cyber-bullying as it can case fear, shame, guilt or depression.
For school strategies, cyber-bullying policies, student support and for more general information, see link below:
https://www.esafety.gov.au/esafety-information/esafety-issues/cyberbullying/cyberbullying-information-for-teachers
For school strategies, cyber-bullying policies, student support and for more general information, see link below:
https://www.esafety.gov.au/esafety-information/esafety-issues/cyberbullying/cyberbullying-information-for-teachers
Example anti-bullying school policies
http://www.scone.catholic.edu.au/site/index.cfm?display=352535
http://www.tps.vic.edu.au/anti-bullyingpolicy.html
http://www.tps.vic.edu.au/anti-bullyingpolicy.html
references and more
Bullying No Way, Fact sheet 4, accessed 16/8/2015,
http://www.bullyingnoway.gov.au/resources/pdf/bnw-factsheet-4-signs-of-bullying.pdf
Bullying No Way! 2013 (p.8), for further information: https://www.bullyingnoway.gov.au/resources/pdf/fast-fact-bullying-in-schools.pdf
NSW Government Education 2014, Supporting students, accessed 20/8/2015, http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/studentsupport/behaviourpgrms/antibullying/
Teaching Tolerance, n.d., Bullying Guidelines for teachers, accessed 16/8/2015,
http://www.tolerance.org/supplement/bullying-guidelines-teachers
Victoria Education and Training 2014, Classroom Strategies, accessed 20/8/2015,
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pages/teachclassroom.aspx
http://www.bullyingnoway.gov.au/resources/pdf/bnw-factsheet-4-signs-of-bullying.pdf
Bullying No Way! 2013 (p.8), for further information: https://www.bullyingnoway.gov.au/resources/pdf/fast-fact-bullying-in-schools.pdf
NSW Government Education 2014, Supporting students, accessed 20/8/2015, http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/studentsupport/behaviourpgrms/antibullying/
Teaching Tolerance, n.d., Bullying Guidelines for teachers, accessed 16/8/2015,
http://www.tolerance.org/supplement/bullying-guidelines-teachers
Victoria Education and Training 2014, Classroom Strategies, accessed 20/8/2015,
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pages/teachclassroom.aspx
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