Wellbeing - Senior School
Respectful Relationships
As we move into the third week of the academic year, we take this opportunity to focus on reiterating the College’s position on respectful relationships. In summary, students are expected to treat all students, staff and any other person at the College professionally and with respect, avoiding behaviour that could be interpreted as bullying and act to prevent other students from engaging in bullying behaviour, where this is reasonably practicable.
Furthermore, where students have witnessed bullying at the College. they are encouraged to report this to a staff member. Similarly, parents/carers have an integral role to play in the prevention and resolution of bullying. They must notify the College if they are informed by their son that they consider themselves the victim of bullying behaviour.
Bullying and cyberbullying disregard core values of the Catholic faith including dignity, respect, justice, equity, compassion, trust and courage, and is therefore unacceptable.
Below is a definition of ‘Bullying’:
Bullying is repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological behaviour that is harmful, and involves the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more persons.
Bullying can involve humiliation, domination, intimidation, victimisation and all forms of harassment including that based on sex, race, disability, sexual orientation or practice of religion. Bullying of any form, or for any reason, can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.
Cyberbullying involves the use of any information communication technology by an individual or group to carry out deliberate, isolated or repeatedly hostile behaviour that is intended to harm others or is undertaken recklessly without concern for its impact on others.
Conflict or fights between equals and single incidents are not defined as bullying. Bullying behaviour is not: children not getting along well; a situation of mutual conflict; single episodes of nastiness or random acts of aggression or intimidation.
Both the College website and College Diary (pages 29-32) provide further details about types of bullying and ‘Hands-Off’ Rule.
During the year, students will engage in presentations and discussions that will continue to build their understanding of what constitutes respectful relationships and approaches to building them into their daily lives.
Robert Simpson
Director of Senior School