Wise Words With...

Bullying – No Way

Bullying – No Way week was held in the third week of August. Nowra Christian School students in primary and high school were involved in a range of discussions in class and AM about the prevention of bullying in our community. This article seeks to follow up with parental information about bullying prevention so that all members of our community are on the same page. 

The first thing to say is that we can look to Jesus’ teaching to understand how we should treat each other. The following is found in Matthew 22.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

After loving God with all our heart, soul and mind, Jesus says that the next greatest commandment is to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ And all other teachings in the Bible can be summed up in these two commandments. As we love others as ourselves, we will treat each other well in all circumstances and have no desire to bully others.

The following is an excerpt from our Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy and Procedures.

Bullying Definition

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, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.

Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records).

What Is not Bullying?

There are many negative situations which, whilst being potentially distressing for students, are not bullying. These include:

Mutual Conflict Situations which arise where there is disagreement between students but not an imbalance of power. Mutual conflict situations need to be closely monitored as 

they may evolve into a bullying situation.

One-Off Acts (of aggression or meanness) including single incidents of loss of temper, shouting or swearing do not normally constitute bullying.

What can you do to help prevent bullying of or by your child?

The following steps can be helpful to help prevent your child being bullied.

1. Educate your children about bullying.
2. Talk openly and frequently to your children.
3. Help your child be a positive role model.
4. Help build your child’s self confidence.
5. Be a role model.
6. Be part of their online experience.

What can you do if your child reports bullying to you?

The following steps are helpful if your child suggests they are being bullied.

1. Listen calmly and get the full story
2. Reassure your child
3. Ask them what they want to do and what they want you to do
4. Contact the teacher (Primary) or Year Adviser (Secondary)
5. Discuss and practise strategies to respond to bullying.

What can you do if it is reported to you that your child is bullying others?

The following are things you can do to help your child if you find out they are bullying others:

• Focus on positive solutions.
• Talk with your child.
• Explain why bullying is unacceptable.
• Consider what else might be happening for your child.
• Teach conflict resolution skills.
• Discuss the behaviour with the school.
• Get more help for your child.

Conclusion

It is good that our society has worked out that the way we treat each other matters. It does take time for our children to work out how to treat others well and education starts at home. It is an ongoing process, and it is the rare child (or adult) who has it all together. But let us look to Jesus as the model of how we should act, seeking to obey His teachings and seeking to embed them in our children’s behaviour.