14 Mar 2019
Friday the 15th March is the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. The 2019 National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA) has a new theme: Bullying. No Way! Take action every day. This theme builds on the 2018 journey to Imagine a world free from bullying, by inviting school communities to turn big ideas into action. Parents, teachers, students or members of the community can turn ideas into action and help deliver a powerful message that bullying and violence are never okay.
Bullying is a word that is used with a lot of meanings.
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.
Strathfield Girls High School is pledging to follow the 2019 theme of Take action everyday. There are posters around the school that outlines our action plan of:
Strathfield Girls High School will take a stand on bullying, by utilising student advocacy and voice, with all students, on each and everyday, to achieve a community that is free from bullying.
It is important that if there is an issue to report it to your classroom teachers, your Year Advisors or our Head Teacher of Wellbeing Ms Farah. Together we take a stand to ensure everyone in our community feels safe and supported.
Information cards for parents and students are available for download and students will be receiving them in their Vitae Lampada Classes.
Together we take a stand and ensure everyone in our community feel safe and supported.