Child Safety

Bullying Prevention – Building a Safe, Respectful and Inclusive School Community

At Resurrection School, we are committed to creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, respected and supported. As a Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) school, we recognise that student wellbeing is fundamental to learning, positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging.

Our school values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience guide the way we treat one another and help us build a positive school culture where bullying, discrimination and unkind behaviour are not accepted.

Understanding Bullying

Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical or social behaviour that causes physical, social or psychological harm. It can happen in person or online.

Bullying can include name-calling, teasing, exclusion, spreading rumours, physical aggression and hurtful or discriminatory language.

It is important to recognise that not every disagreement or unkind interaction between children is bullying. However, all incidents of inappropriate or hurtful behaviour are taken seriously, whether they meet the definition of bullying or not.

Our Approach to Bullying Prevention and Response

Our school's Bullying Prevention Policy provides a framework for preventing, identifying, reporting and responding to bullying behaviours.

We are committed to:

• Promoting positive relationships and respectful interactions.
• Teaching students strategies to manage conflict, regulate emotions and seek help.
• Encouraging students to be upstanders who speak up and seek adult assistance when they witness bullying or unkind behaviour.
• Responding promptly and appropriately to concerns raised by students, families or staff.
• Working in partnership with families to support all students involved.
• Monitoring concerns and providing ongoing wellbeing support where required.

Our Same Day Response Procedure

At Resurrection School, we use a Same Day Response approach to address serious or concerning student behaviour promptly.

When an incident is reported, staff work to establish what has occurred, speak with the students involved and determine appropriate actions and support. Where necessary, parents and carers are contacted, and incidents are documented and followed up.

Our priority is to ensure students feel safe, heard and supported, while also helping children understand the impact of their behaviour, take responsibility and develop more positive ways of interacting with others.

While our aim is to respond on the same day, some situations may require further investigation and ongoing follow-up.

Supporting Student Wellbeing

Student wellbeing is a shared responsibility. Through classroom learning, social and emotional education, restorative conversations and everyday interactions, we support children to develop empathy, resilience, emotional awareness and healthy friendships.

We encourage all students to speak with a trusted adult if they experience or witness bullying, discrimination or behaviour that makes them feel unsafe.

How Families Can Help

Parents and carers play an important role in reinforcing respectful behaviour and supporting children's social and emotional development.

We encourage families to have regular conversations with their children about friendships, kindness, inclusion and respectful language. Remind your child that it is always okay to ask for help and that reporting bullying is not dobbing – it is helping to keep everyone safe.

If your child shares a concern, listen calmly, reassure them and contact their classroom teacher so we can work together to address the situation.

Together, we can ensure Resurrection School remains a place where every child feels safe, included, respected and ready to learn.