Student Wellbeing
St John Vianney's Catholic Primary School
At SJV we use the Better Buddies Framework as one way to support our students. We use this alongside the Resilience Project and also Restorative Practices. This will align with the work we are doing as a school with Positive Behaviour for Learning.
One of the most common problems for children is bullying. In Australia, it affects approximately one student in every four. Bullying can have a devastating effect on a child. In addition, children who portray bullying behaviours are more likely to commit anti-social behaviour and criminal acts.
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation's Better Buddies Framework is an initiative designed to create friendly and caring primary school communities where bullying is reduced.
Through Better Buddies, children in their first and last year of primary school buddy up and learn the values: caring for others, friendliness, respect, valuing difference, including others and responsibility. All children in the school learn these values through formal and informal activities, including their interactions with the mascot Buddy Bear, our giant, fun-loving and caring purple bear.
Better Buddies enables younger children to feel safe and cared for while older children feel valued and respected. It is designed to enhance existing buddy programs or introduce a buddy program to primary schools for the first time. The evidence-based framework complements existing school welfare programs, is easy to implement and links to national curriculum initiatives.
Every child has a right to be safe from victimisation, violence and abuse at school. 'It is a fundamental democratic right for a child to feel safe in school and to be spared the oppression and repeated, intentional humiliation implied in bullying.'
Bullying is when someone (or a group of people) with more power than you, repeatedly and intentionally uses negative words and/or actions against you, which cause distress and risks your wellbeing. Bullying can be physical, verbal, emotional or social and can be carried out in person or electronically.
For more information about bullying please visit the National Centre Against Bullying website.
About The Alannah and Madeline Foundation
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation is a national charity protecting children from violence and its devastating effects. The Foundation was set up in memory of Alannah and Madeline Mikac, aged 6 and 3, who were tragically killed along with their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur, Tasmania on 28 April 1996.
We care for children who have experienced or witnessed violence and run programs which prevent violence in the lives of children. We play an advocacy role and we're a voice against childhood violence. Our vision is that every child will live in a safe and supportive environment.
Visit amf.org.au for more information
Regards
Jenny Willmott
jwillmott@sjvmulgrave.catholic.edu.au
Deputy Principal/ Student Wellbeing Leader