Ingle Farm East

Primary School

Anti-Bullying and
Harassment Policy
At Ingle Farm East Primary School we
want all students to feel safe, happy
and free from bullying or harassment.

Endorsed by Governing Council on 26th March 2019

Review date 26th March 2022
What is Bullying and Harassment?
The national definition of bullying for Australian schools says:
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
Bullying and Harassment can include the following:
Bystander – supporting a bully with their actions by being part of
the audience
Cyber – using e-technology (information and communication
technologies) as a means of victimising or ridiculing, spreading
rumours, threatening or abusing, using another’s personal details
or photographs without written consent and sending any other
inappropriate material
Exclusion – being deliberately left out of a group or activity,
tormenting (eg hiding book, hat etc), ridicule, humiliation
Physical – hitting, punching, tripping, pushing, hair-pulling
Threatening – being made to feel afraid of getting hurt or being
forced to do something you don’t want to do
Verbal – putdowns and name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours,
persistent teasing, threats and intimidation, extortion.
What do we do about Bullying and Harassment ?

Prevention strategies

At Ingle Farm East Primary School we:

Use the curriculum to teach students about respectful

relationships, citizenship, ethical behaviors, personal and
social competence, intercultural understanding and self
identity and awareness
Promote and teach school values; Respect, Responsibility, Safety,
Communication and Teamwork
Develop programs to help students to participate and have a say in
their learning
Teach students about violence prevention, conflict resolution, anger
management and problem solving, using problem solving tools
Teach students about diversity
Provide positive role models for our students
Provide professional learning for staff in collaboration with local
agencies such as Schools Ministry Group
Have access to support personnel on site such as Pastoral Support
worker and Child Wellbeing Practitioner.
Collect data each year such as Bully audit and Opinion Surveys to
inform our practice
Report bullying data to Governing Council .
Intervention strategies

Listen and talk with all those involved in a bullying or harassment

episode to ensure that there is a fair and equitable understanding
of events

Ensure that our practices and response to bullies take into

account the age, ability, social development, language acquisition
and experiences of the student

Working in partnership with parents/care givers about the situation

and resolution

Logical consequences for bullies including the use of restorative

justice techniques. Responses may include restricted play,
time out (yard or office), suspension or exclusion

Teaching students about taking action when they are a bystander

Developing staff and community understanding regarding the

issues of bullying and how to address them effectively and
respectfully.

Post intervention strategies

Monitoring the safety and wellbeing of students and members of
the school community

Keeping parents/care-givers informed of strategies

Referring to district support services where appropriate

Collecting data about hot spots and addressing these in the yard

Reviewing and evaluating our Behaviour Code and related policies

on a regular basis.
What a student can do to reduce Bullying or Harassment
If you are a bystander or a witness to bullying or harassment it is your
responsibility to help protect the victim by:

Letting the bully know that their bullying behaviour is inappropriate

without putting yourself at risk
Be a friend to the person being bullied
Reporting the harassment to a staff member or trusted adult so that
the bully and the victim can receive help
Encourage the person being bullied to talk it over with their parent/
caregiver or other person they trust
Report the bullying on a referral slip.

If you are a victim of Bullying or Harassment you can take action

Ignore the bully. However, if the harassment continues try some-
thing else
Approach the person who is harassing you and tell them to stop
Share the problem with someone
Report it to a teacher or leadership
Report the bullying incident on a referral slip
Take yourself to time out for quiet, calm time and support
If seriously endangered in the community after hours, have an adult
help to ring the Police

If you are involved in Bullying another person it is

your responsibility to stop now!
If you are aware that you are bullying you can ask for help to stop
this behaviour. See a trusted adult at school or at home for help.
How can I tell if my child is being bullied?
As a parent or caregiver, you have an important part to play in helping
your child and the school deal with bullying.

Signs that a child is being bullied may include:

Refusal to go to school, and finding excuses not to go
(eg pretending to be sick)
Unexplained cuts, bruises or scratches
Illnesses without any possible cause
Unexplained change of mood, tension or emotional distress (crying,
acting out, periods of sadness)
Damaged or missing clothing/possessions.

What parents/caregivers can do to support their child

If your child reports that they have been bullied stay calm and say :
that you are pleased that they have told you
that you believe them
that it is not their fault and you are sorry to hear it has happened
that you take it seriously because bullying can have
serious long-term consequences

Encourage your child to talk things through with you so that you can
ascertain the facts.

Talk to your child about what they can do to make themselves safe.

Communicate with school staff so that together a plan can be

developed to restore safety and equity.

You may want to call the school to check that your child
has spoken to someone about the problem.

Remember to reassure your child of your support at all times.

 Need more information

Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 www.kidshelp.com.au

www.bullyingnoway.com.au
http://www.headroom.net.au/cubby/index.html
www.antibullying.net
www.cybersmart.gov.au

If you have any questions or concerns speak to

Pastoral Care support worker

Class teacher
Senior Leader
Principal
 At Ingle Farm East Primary School
we want all students to develop
resilience and the ability
to bounce back from life’s challenges.

Any members of the school community who believe the school’s

Anti-bullying and Harassment Policy is not being supported or
enforced appropriately please contact the school.