Charis has zero-tolerance stance on bullying
Definition
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behaviour, that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. – Source: www.stopbullying.gov.au
Bullying usually has three common features:
- It is deliberate, hurtful behaviour
- It is repeated
- It is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves
There are three main types of bullying:
- Physical (hitting, kicking, taking belongings)
- Verbal (name-calling, insulting, racist remarks)
- Indirect/emotional (spreading nasty stories, excluding from groups)
Bullying is NOT one-off instances of name calling or bad behaviour.
If a student is being bullied (as laid out above), or is aware of it happening to another, then they should report it to a teacher immediately.
As staff, we try to educate out students in home-room time, during family time and in the classroom about what bullying looks and the long-lasting effects it can have.