Positive Peer Relations
Related Merici Policies
Behaviour Management
Suspension and Exclusion of Students
Technology
Rationale/Purpose
Merici College is a Catholic school which is committed to promoting Christian values where all members of our community are to be treated with dignity, courtesy and respect.
We believe that all members of the school community have the right to a learning and work environment free from intolerance, harassment and humiliation.
We all share a responsibility to create a culture of caring. This ideal is embedded in our ethos and is fostered by our Pastoral Care Policy and Practices.
Definitions
Bullying behaviours are a social problem involving an imbalance of power, where there is a deliberate intent to cause harm or distress. These behaviours are sustained over a long period of time are aggressive, repetitive and malicious causing embarrassment, pain or discomfort to others.
Bullying behaviours diminish the life of our community and are NOT tolerated in any form. These behaviours include:
Verbal:
Using offensive names, making threats, teasing, spreading rumours, telling secrets (personal information), using put-downs, persuading another person to unfairly criticise or insult someone, making abusive phone calls.
Non-verbal:
Rude gestures, ‘greasies’/menacing looks, staring, following or stalking, refusing to sit with someone, negative body language, text messaging.
Physical:
Deliberate or intimidating physical contact (eg: shoving/pushing, hitting, punching, and tripping). Stealing, hiding, or damaging property or threatening to do so.
Relational:
Hurtfully excluding others from a group, manipulating friends, rejecting, dismissing or deliberately ignoring others.
Social (bullying based on difference):
Targeting students because of appearance and possessions; background; racial, cultural and religious traditions; physical and intellectual differences.
Electronic:
Offensive use of social network sites, email, chat rooms, blogs and mobile phones( text or speak) and misuse of any part of the Merici Technology Policy
Please note: Normal adolescent development can include periods of social conflict, friendship difficulties and peer group change. It is important to remember that these do not necessarily constitute bullying behaviours.
Please refer to the full policy attached.
Policy PDFReturn to policies
