At Brigidine we have in place an anti-bullying approach and encourage respect for all. Our students have the right to an education free from humiliation, harassment and abuse.
Positive relationships are vital to all in our community. We expect that all our students will respect each individual.
Bullying behaviour contravenes this expectation and may interfere with a student’s right to strive for excellence in all dimensions of life. All students in our College have the right to an education free from humiliation, harassment and abuse.
The Definition of Bullying
Our Mission Statement affirms Catholic values that uphold the dignity of the person. Bullying between students will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening. Bullying can happen n person or online, and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). The College promotes positive wellbeing and appropriate conduct for all students.
Bullying behaviour affects the whole school. It can damage the atmosphere of a classroom, cause division in the playground and even involve families and others outside our community. Bullying behaviour does not fit with our College philosophy and the ethos of the Brigidine sisters.
Brigidine College Approach
At Brigidine, we take our approach to our students’ wellbeing very seriously. If there is an issue with any student, we follow this process to ensure:
- Support is provided to all students involved
- All sides are heard without bias and all parties involved are given the opportunity to put right the situation
- Names such as “bully or victim” are avoided. The student making the complaint will be known as the “complainant.” The other party involved will be known as the “respondent”
- Students are given the opportunity of a fresh start
Process
- Students to report their complaint to a trusted member of staff
- Interview of complainant by the relevant Pastoral Leader
- The Pastoral Leader will suggest strategies to assist the complainant to try to eliminate the bullying behaviour
- The complainant will provide a written report of the bullying behaviour
- The respondent will provide a written report of the bullying
- An incident report is completed by the Pastoral Leader that will recommend action to be taken
- Parents/Caregivers of the students are informed
- Strategies are implemented to restore the relationship of those involved. This could include mediation, counselling and steps to make the situation ‘right’
- Monitoring occurs by the Pastoral Leader – follow up with both parents/caregivers and students
- If bullying behaviour is found to have occurred, a report will be written by the Deputy Principal Students
- If bullying behaviour continues, the Pastoral Care Team will decide further measures
- On-going bullying behaviour could affect continuing enrolment of the respondent.
