National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence

Friday 18th March 2022

On Friday 18 March 2022, St Anthony’s Primary School is participating in the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA). The NDA is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative, connecting schools and communities to find workable solutions to prevent bullying. 

The theme for the 2022 NDA is Kindness Culture. We will demonstrate Kindness Culture by creating a whole school pledge wall promoting inclusiveness, respect and community belonging for all students. 

Planning for a safe and supportive school community requires a whole-school community approach. Whole-school responses to bullying prevention build positive and supportive school environments by incorporating strategies for intervention at all levels, inclusive of students, teachers, parents and carers. 

Three key characteristics outlined in the national definition of bullying distinguish bullying behaviours from other forms of peer aggression behaviours which do not constitute bullying. The key characteristics of bullying include:

                                                                 1.       power imbalance
                                                                 2.      deliberate intent to cause harm, and
                                                                 3.      ongoing and repeated behaviour.                              

It is important for our entire school community, including our staff, parents, carers and students to have a clear understanding of the definition of bullying to be able to distinguish these behaviours from peer aggression, and correctly identify and respond to incidents of bullying.

National definition of bullying for schools, developed by educators Across Australia:

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 a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening. 

Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices, and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records). 

Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.

You can read St Anthony’s anti bullying policy to learn more about our school’s process for managing incidents of bullying on our website.

For more information, please visit Bullying. No Way! website for additional resources. 

 

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