Bullying - No Way!

Hillcrest supported the Government's annual national campaign for Action Against Bullying and Violence, which they called 'Bullying. No Way' Day. This important day was officially on 15 March, 2019, but included different initiatives surrounding the week of this campaign. 

Across the JLC, students took a stand against bullying by finding ways to promote a safer and more caring College. The Year 4 students also presented their powerful anti-bullying message through a video they produced which you can view here.

Then, on Friday, 22 March, our senior students engaged in a positive Message Wall where students could post a hand print with their message on “Bullying – no way!”

Working Together to Combat Bullying Behaviour

Bullying is often a complex matter and I often find that the first time a student mentions bullying is when they get home. As a parent, it is important not to assume that your child has told anyone at school about it, and for you to make contact with your child's teacher, Life Group Leader or Head of House. It is better to look into it and know what has occurred, than to say ”let’s see if it happens again.”

A definition of bullying:

Bullying is an ongoing misuse of power in relationships, through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that causes physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons. Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying of any form or for any reason can have 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.

Some Useful Counter-Bullying Strategies

If your child experiences bullying, you can equip them with strategies to respond to the situation, this of course depends on where the bullying is coming from.

Dealing with Face-to-Face Bullying:

• Ignore the person doing the bullying, or tell them to stop, and then walk away
• Pretend you don't care; act unimpressed or not bothered, and move somewhere safe
• Distract the person who is bullying, or calm the situation (e.g. agree in an offhand way when they say offensive or negative things—known as 'fogging').

Dealing with Cyber Bullying:

• Do not to respond to the message or image
• Save the evidence (screenshot or print the email) to block or delete the sender
• Report the situation to the Internet Service Provider; they can help you block messages or calls
• Tell another person—teacher, and police if necessary.

It is important to remain proactive and to act quickly before it escalates into a situation in which options are reduced, or even sometimes removed. As a College community we do not tolerate bullying and will do our utmost to ensure that students are safe and feel that there is some one they can go to in order seek help or advice.

Dirk van Bruggen

HEAD OF SENIOR LEARNING COMMUNITY