Misunderstandings and arguments are pretty common in the playground. Kids are still developing social skills and learning how to communicate with others. Bullying is different. Bullying is a deliberate and repeated abuse of power of one student over another. Bullying is not tolerated by CCGPS Schools.
What is 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 information and communication technologies.
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 can happen anywhere: at school, travelling to and from school, in sporting teams, between neighbours or in the workplace.
Behaviour
Bullying behaviour can be:
- verbal - for example name calling, teasing, abuse, putdowns, sarcasm, insults and threats.
- physical - for example hitting, punching, kicking, scratching, tripping and spitting.
- social - for example ignoring, excluding, ostracising, alienating, and making inappropriate gestures.
- psychological - for example spreading rumours, dirty looks, hiding or damaging possessions, malicious SMS and email messages and 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.
If you suspect that your child is being bullied or is bullying, please speak to someone at your school before the problem escalates.
Resources
For more information and practical advice on how to deal with bullying, try the website below:
© State of New South Wales through the Department of Education and Communities