Student Wellbeing
Term 3
Curriculum Day - Berry Street Education Model
On Thursday 10th August, all staff across both campuses participated in the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) training as we begin our work towards a whole school approach to student engagement in learning. BSEM aims to help all students by equipping schools with practical, classroom-based strategies to increase the engagement of all students, including those with complex, unmet learning needs. Yesterday, staff completed Day 1 BSEM - Body Domain with the next day of training scheduled for Term 4.
It was a fantastic day of learning together to build knowledge and understanding across the whole school.
National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence
2023 Growing Connections
The National Day of Action (NDA) is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative for schools, encouraging whole-school communities to work together to implement evidence-informed positive and proactive solutions to prevent and address bullying.
The NDA theme for 2023 is 'Growing Connections'. This theme supports research findings that strong school community connections and social skills are protective factors in the prevention of bullying and help enable positive, help-seeking behaviours in students.
This year, the NDA will be held on Friday 18th August. On this day, students can wear casual clothes and are encouraged to wear a splash of orange to show their support.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is complex social issue. It resists simplistic ideas and solutions. Knowing exactly what bullying is and understanding why it happens are critical to finding positive and evidence-informed solutions for everyone involved. The national definition of bullying for Australian schools says:
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). Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.
Concord School is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning environment where bullying will not be tolerated. We have a number of programs and strategies in place to build a positive and inclusive school culture. Concord School strives to foster a school culture that prevents bullying behaviour by modelling and encouraging behaviour that demonstrates acceptance, kindness and respect. You can access our Bullying Prevention policy through School Documentation on Compass.
If you would like further information on understanding bullying and to access resources and supports, please go to https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/.
Karlie Gooding
Acting Assistant Principal