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 over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.
  • Bullying can happen in person or online and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert).
  • Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over.

Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.

At Woodend we follow Bully No Way! recommendations and treat any report of bullying as an opportunity for all students involved to learn how to behave more appropriately, to resolve conflict in appropriate ways, and to navigate their social networks through respectful relationships. Research by Australia’s Safe and Supportive School Communities Working Group has shown that solution-based, person-centred approaches are considered more effective than autocratic, punishment-based strategies to respond to bullying.

Twice a year we survey all year 3-7 students about how safe they are feeling in the classroom and yard at Woodend Primary School. The survey asks students about what they believe bullying is, how safe they are feeling in the yard, any issues they are experiencing with other students and asks for suggestions of what we might be able to do to improve our school. Students are also asked about any bullying they have experienced and whether this is ongoing or now resolved. Students are offered an opportunity to have a conversation with a safe adult at school about any concerns they may have.

We conducted the first of these audits at the end of term 2 and followed up with all students early in term 3. We will conduct the second of our audits early in term 4. The results of our first audit are available here for you to see.

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Staff have had follow up conversations with 20 students identified through the audit to find out what their concerns were and what support they might require.

Of the students followed up,

  • 10 students reported that the issue they were reporting was an old issue that is no longer happening, The classroom teacher has ensured these students have strategies to use should there be any more concerns.
  • 5 reported ongoing friendship issues that are now being monitored by staff,
  • 2 involved online relationships formed through online activity at home and students have been provided with strategies, including speaking to parents
  • 1 uncovered some mean behaviours among a group of students in the class. The class teacher is working with these students to improve their communications with one another
  • 1 couldn’t remember why they had reported that they had been bullied and said there were no issues. Class teacher is checking in regularly to ensure there are no ongoing issues.
  • 1 was a one-off incident that had occurred at a birthday party outside of school.

Teachers will continue to monitor these relationships and behaviours.

Our term 4 Bully Audit will be conducted in the first few weeks of term 4.