Student Wellbeing

Bullying No Way

Bullying No Way Week is 12 to 16 August 2024. The theme for 2024 is 'Everyone belongs'.

When we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. It's about embracing who we are, respecting everyone's differences and standing up together against unkindness.

Belonging means we all have a role in preventing bullying. We're encouraged to speak up and create a safe place where everyone feels supported and respected, and our voices are heard and valued.

Understanding the definition of bullying is the first step in talking about how to prevent and respond to bullying with your child. 'Bullying' is a word that is often used for behaviours that are not actually bullying. These other behaviours can be just as serious but may require different responses.

What is bullying?

Sometimes, people get confused about what is and isn’t bullying.

People can think that someone saying something they don’t like is bullying – but it’s not. Bullying is different from conflict or unkindness.

Bullying is mean, but being mean doesn't always mean bullying.

Bullying behaviours:

• Are aggressive, unkind or mean behaviours
• Are repeated behaviours (it must happen multiple times, in an ongoing way to be defined as bullying)
• Happen on purpose

Bullying is not the same as:

• Being rude – saying or doing something hurtful that wasn’t planned or meant to hurt someone, e.g. someone pushing in front of you in the canteen line
• Being mean – doing something hurtful to someone on purpose once or twice, e.g. a friend refusing to play with you one day
• Conflict – having a disagreement with a friend, e.g. two friends getting into an argument and saying mean things to each other
• Respectful feedback on behaviours you're doing that aren’t ok, e.g. “It’s not ok to roll your eyes every time they talk about sport.”
• A friend putting in a ‘boundary’ e.g. “I don't like it when you keep telling me what to do.”
• Natural consequences in socialising, e.g. a friend not trusting you because you shared their secret

Ways we can help your child stop bullying:

• Stay calm - don't react emotionally (people who bully usually want you to get angry or upset)
• Report it - tell trustworthy adults and keep talking to them until the bullying stops; reporting it helps keep people safe (and isn't the same as 'dobbing' which is about getting someone in trouble over nothing)
• Get support - bullying can affect your mental health and self-worth - having the support of family, friends, teachers and/or professionals can make a big difference