Ambarvale High School rejects all forms of bullying
All students and staff have the right to be treated fairly and with dignity in an environment free from disruption, intimidation, harassment, victimisation and discrimination. All members of the school community contribute to preventing bullying by modelling and promoting appropriate behaviour and respectful relationships.
A 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. Cyberbullying refers to bullying through technological devices and sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram.
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.
Bullying behaviour can be:
- 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 email messages, inappropriate use of camera phones.
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.
Useful Links and Documents
Bullying: Preventing and Responding to Student Bullying in School Guidelines
School Discipline in Government Schools Policy
Bullying. No Way! An interactive website for students, parents, teachers and community members
Bullying and Cyber Bullying: Youth Beyond Blue