Anti-Bullying Policy

 

TCC Anti-Bullying Policy

Rationale

We at Trinity Catholic College believe that all students have a right to feel safe, happy and be well taught. We endeavour to espouse the Gospel message of Jesus Christ in all of our dealings, and thus ensure that the dignity of each person is upheld. The actions of our staff members aim to model right behaviour, create a caring and supportive culture and prevent instances of bullying. In the unfortunate, but inevitable occurrence of bullying, a clear, inclusive, yet discreet management plan is enacted by the College Pastoral Care Team.

Staff at Trinity Catholic College use the overarching principles of the Sydney CEO Anti-Bullying Policy when enacting the local Anti-Bullying Policy. The guiding principles of this document are as follows:

• Each person is created in the image and likeness of God.
• The dignity of every member of the school community is respected.
• Bullying in any form is unacceptable behaviour in a Sydney Catholic systemic school.
• All partners in Catholic education share a joint responsibility to identify and address bullying behaviour.
• Parents/caregivers have an integral role to play in the prevention and resolution of bullying.
• Explicit instruction on the school’s policy and procedures for dealing with incidents of bullying is essential.
• Effective record-keeping is a crucial and expected component of a school’s response to the issue of bullying.
• Where appropriate, schools should collaborate with outside agencies on matters concerning bullying, to the extent necessary and permitted by law to resolve the matter.

Bullying

When identifying and deciding if an occurrence of Bullying has taken place, the following definitions should be discerned.

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, sexual orientation or practice of religion. Bullying of any form, or for any reason, can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Bullying can happen anywhere: at school, travelling to and from school, in sporting teams, between neighbours, or in the workplace.

Bullying behavior can be:

• verbal, eg name calling, teasing, abuse, put downs, 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 email messages, inappropriate use of camera phones.
• Cyber-bullying involves the use of any information communication technology by an individual or group to carry out deliberate, isolated or repeatedly hostile behaviour that is intended to harm others, or is undertaken recklessly without concern for its impact on others.

(Students’ Responsible Use of Technology Guidelines)

 

Conflict or fights between equals and single incidents are not defined as bullying. Bullying behaviour is not:

• children not getting along well
• a situation of mutual conflict
• single episodes of nastiness or random acts of aggression or intimidation.

 

In the instance of bullying, or a complaint about this process, the first port of call should be the relevant Pastoral Care Coordinator/s. If a party is still not satisfied with the procedure or outcome, they should refer to the Sydney CEO Complaints Policy.

Prevention of Bullying

The college attempts to create and maintain a safe and supportive learning domain. The Pastoral Care Framework (2013) identifies all key stakeholders and their responsibilities in ensuring an environment free from instances of bullying.

Regular staff induction, training and learning are embedded in order to identify, deal with and record instances of bullying:

New staff induction each year

• Building capacity of general staff through local Professional Development in Pastoral Care meetings
• Building capacity of Pastoral Care Coordinators through local Professional Development, as well as Sydney CEO Professional Development.

 

Students are informed and educated of their role in the prevention of bullying through:

• Daily Pastoral Care
• Weekly/fortnightly Pastoral Care lessons
• Interaction with local Police Youth Liaison Officer

 

Caregivers are informed and educated of their role in the prevention of bullying through:

• College Newsletters
• Sentral
• Communication with staff
• Bi-annual Parent/Teacher/Student days
• Annual Parent Information Evenings (access to local Police Youth Liaison Officer on these days)

Pastoral Care Program – Bullying: No Way

As a result of the Pastoral Care Framework and the development of a comprehensive collaborative approach to reshaping the Pastoral Care Programs from Years 7-12, the College integrates at every stage of learning, within the Pastoral Care program a reorientation and focus on all forms of bullying.

Stage 4

• Building Positive Relationships

○      The art of conversation

○      Problem solving and conflict avoidance and resolution

○      Friendship and belonging

 

• Cyber Bullying

○      Cybersafety

○      Cyberbullying website

 

• Problem solving and resilience

○      Teacher interviews with individual students.

○      Relaxation techniques

○      Meditation and prayer

○      Calming techniques.

Stage 5

• Bullying

○      Examples of all forms of bullying

○      Presentation from Brainstorm Productions – Bullying

○      Effects of Bullying on individual, community, school

 

• Resilience

○      Perseverance and dedication

○      Motivational media presentation overcoming adversity

 

Stage 6

• Cyber bullying

○      How to avoid it?

○      Victim or Perpetrator, how not to be either

• Resilience

○      Creating resilience for yourself

○      How to maintain a resilient atmosphere

 

 

Procedure for Dealing with a Reported Incident

In most instances, an occurrence will be deemed as bullying if the purported victim asks the purported perpetrator to desist from the act of aggression and they continue. The above heading is a link to navigate an attempt to stop the anti-social behaviour, appropriately support all parties and accurately record the event.

Community contacts that can provide additional support for students and their families

Parent Brochure

National Safe Schools

reach out

beyond blue

bullying no way

kids helpline

Should you feel that bullying is occurring and that your child is either the victim or perpetrator, please feel free to email the relevant Pastoral Care Coordinator to discuss the issue further

CEO Sydney Policy