Student Wellbeing

Planning for a safe and supportive school community 

Last Friday 18 August 2023, St Joseph’s School students participated in a variety of activities for National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA). 

It was an important day for our school to deliver the powerful message that bullying is never okay.  At our school we encourage students and our school community to join the conversation to find evidence-informed solutions to proactively address bullying. All students were given orange ribbons to remind them of the messages of the day.  The Year 5/6 students were given wristbands to remind them to be 'upstanders' against bullying, rather than being a bystander to any acts of bullying.

This year's theme of Growing Connections aimed to help students feel accepted, respected, included and supported. It offered an opportunity to increase student connectedness and sense of belonging.  Research has shown that a sense of connection to school supports the development of positive social behaviours and decreases the likelihood and negative impacts of bullying.

The levels worked on various areas involving ''GROWING CONNECTIONS" and developing EMPATHY through a range of activities.  When children have empathy, research shows they are far less likely to become the perpetrator or the bystander, and those at risk of being bullied are better able to tune into their own feelings and needs and to ask for help earlier and more effectively. 

THEMES WORKED ON BY LEVELS:

Prep, Year 1 & 2 – Growing My Care – I see and say your feelings 

Year 3 & 4 – Growing My Community – I am an includer 

Year 5 & 6 – Growing My Connections – We’re all connected  

Students were led to understand when words or actions ARE considered bullying and when they ARE NOT. Some students engaged in role play scenarios, including being taught the words and actions a bystander can say and do to become an UPSTANDER to protect and support the person being bullied and to help the bully to see that what they are doing is NOT OKAY.

You can read the St Joseph’s Anti-Bullying Prevention Policy to learn more about our school’s process for preventing and responding to bullying and incidents of bullying. 

Warm Regards,

Jenny Todd

(Student Wellbeing Leader)