Real Schools

Warrnambool Primary School is in partnership with Real schools over a three-year period to establish a restorative practice culture. Sheila Bollard visited the school on Monday night to present an overview of restorative practice to parents. It was great to share a sausage and learn about how this cultural shift will enable students to enter into healthy conflict resolution and take responsibility for their actions. Throughout this partnership there will be more opportunities for parents to learn about Restorative Practice, through presentations, articles and webinars.

Positive People @ Jamo

This term we have been focusing on gender and identity as well as positive gender relations. Research shows that children become aware of gender norms at an early age. For example, insisting that some games are for boys and others are for girls. Students are involved in activities that challenge stereotypes, to value and show respect for diversity and differences, and learn how to apply these attitudes within positive gender relationships.

Acceptable Social Media

It is vital that all Primary aged students’ parents are aware of their Social Media and On-line use. Do you know what your child is doing on-line?

There are many conditions of use but I’d like to highlight some here:

FB Terms and Conditions 2022

‘We try to make Facebook broadly available to everyone, but you cannot use Facebook if:

You are under 13 years old.’

https://www.facebook.com/terms.php

Snapchat Terms and Conditions 2022

‘Who Can Use the Services

No one under 13 is allowed to create an account or use the Services.’

https://snap.com/en-US/terms

Instagram Terms and Conditions 2022

‘You must be at least 13 years old or the minimum legal age in your country to use Instagram.’

https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870

Please note that we are aware of students using these platforms at home and on occasions inappropriately.

Primary aged -12yo and under should not be using the above platforms. Please speak to your child about the acceptable use policies on the links above if this is relevant to your situation. These cannot be accessed at school using the school internet as they are blocked.

Definition of Bullying

Bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence are all interpersonal behaviours that can create or contribute to negative social environments. All school communities should have clear definitions outlined in their school policies and procedures for bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence.

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.

Behaviours that do not constitute bullying include:

• mutual arguments and disagreements (where there is no power imbalance)

• not liking someone or a single act of social rejection

• one-off acts of meanness or spite

• isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence.

However, these conflicts still need to be addressed and resolved.

Likewise not all online issues are bullying. (Online bullying is sometimes referred to as cyberbullying and refers to bullying that is carried out through information and communication technologies.)

Bullying No Way- 2022

https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheets-for-families

Student Birthdays