Anti-Bullying Policy

Every person at Engadine High School has the right to learn within a safe, happy, fair and supportive environment. As a community we value cooperation, respect for others and responsibility. At our school everyone has the right to experience positive relationships based on these qualities. Bullying is not acceptable at Engadine High School.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is any form of physical, verbal or psychological behaviour by one person or a group where the intention is to hurt another person.  Bullying includes teasing, exclusion, abuse, threats, malicious gossip, assault and property damage. 

How will we prevent bullying at Engadine High School?

• Anti bullying lessons across the curriculum including Art, Drama, PD/H/PE, English
• Our well established Peer Support Program (Year 10 students trained in Term 4 each year to assist / mentor the incoming Year 7) will now include an anti bullying section.  This section will raise awareness of bullying behaviour and will target preventative strategies.
• Increase the awareness of students, parents and staff through year and whole school assemblies, information bulletins and the parent newsletter, the Flannel Flower
• Year 11 Anti Bullying Mentors (Prefects) to work with both victims and aggressors to break the bullying cycle
• An Anti Bullying sub group of the Welfare Team to plan additional strategies and to monitor bullying on an on-going basis
• The introduction of a School Welcomer Program for new students to Engadine High School to orient and quickly integrate them into the life of the school
• To develop links with outside providers including performances / role play companies to assist in achieving professional whole school anti bullying goals
• Inservice staff on strategies for dealing with bullying.
• Our close involvement in programs including Enough is Enough and Restorative Justice.

What should we do if we are, or see others, being bullied?

Through school assemblies, the school newsletter and peer preventative programs, the importance of reporting bullying at Engadine High School has to be strongly emphasised.  We need to ensure that the stigma of ‘dobbing’ is extinguished and that all students feel comfortable informing someone that they are being bullied or if they witness an act of bullying involving another individual. 

What should students do?

Tell your teacher immediately.  You may also tell your Peer Support Leader, Year Adviser and School Counsellors.Your Year Adviser will be notified by either yourself or one of the above mentioned people.  They will then discuss this matter with others who have been trained to interview bullies and victims.  The ‘bully’ will assist in solving the problems.Where the bullying involves serious physical assault, you should immediately report the incident   to either the Deputy Principals or the Principal. 

What should staff do?

If a bullying incident takes place in your classroom or sport it is suggested that you: Deal with the immediate discipline situation through the normal discipline system.Try to resolve minor bullying situations by listening and acknowledging the seriousness of the report no matter how small it may at first appear.Complete an Incident Report Form and report the incident to the Year Adviser with details of disciplinary action taken by you.The Year Adviser will then coordinate reports and the appropriate anti bullying strategy. 

What should parents do?

Encourage your children to understand the unacceptability of bullying as much as possible.  A thorough reading of this policy with your children is highly recommended.Encourage your children to follow the procedures outlined above if they are being bullied.Contact the school if your child’s efforts to deal with bullying do not appear to be working.  Discussion of preventative strategies with your child over this matter is also recommended.When the schools attempts to deal with reported bullying and victimisation do not appear to work in isolation, your assistance may well be sought.  In cases of serious physical bullying you will automatically be involved.