Procedures for promoting
an environment that is
safe from all forms of bullying

West Eyreton’s Safe School Vision

West Eyreton School aims to be a nurturing place where all people are respected, appreciated and understood.
 

School Code of Conduct:

Expectations: To get on well at school, and on school outings, we all take responsibility by:

1. Co-operating with each other and being friendly. (so we can work together and be happy)

2. Speaking pleasantly to others. (this sets a pleasant tone and makes everyone feel happy and secure)

3. Respecting others, and leaving them and their belongings alone.

4. Working hard. (so we can learn as much as we can)

Other rules:

5. Children are to abide by the school “Out of Bounds’ rules.

6. Children are to respect the authority of the teacher.

7. Children will abide by any other classroom rule that may be in place. They will respect the rights of those who have responsibility for the room, and behave appropriately while in the room.

8. Children will abide by school routines, arriving promptly to class, lining up quickly and quietly when required to do so, responding punctually to bells, keeping the grounds and environment tidy, and using equipment appropriately.

9. Children on school outings will show respect for the adult responsible for providing transport or supervising groups. They will be expected to follow all school behavioural expectations as if at school.

10. No physical or verbal violence is acceptable at any time.

DEFINITION OF BULLYING

West Eyreton School defines bullying as physical (e.g. hitting, kicking, punching), emotional (e.g. exclusion, isolation), and verbal (e.g. teasing, put-downs) behaviours that are repeated, targeted, deliberate, hurtful, assuming dominance, and may be secretive.

Guidelines:

1. Across the school, there is a common set of expectations (West Eyreton School Code of Conduct) that govern the way people interact with one another. These will be followed.

2. The school community is expected to recognize and report bullying behaviour so that it can be dealt with.

3. All bullying should be reported.
   
   If a child reports bullying to a staff member the procedures for dealing with the behaviour (set out below) must be followed.
   
   If a parent wishes to report incidents of bullying then the West Eyreton School Parents Concern Procedures must be followed.
   
   If a staff member feels he or she has been the recipient of bullying then the West Eyreton School Staff Concerns Procedures (or West Eyreton School Harassment Procedures if more appropriate) should be followed in reporting it.

4. The emphasis will be on changing the behaviour of the bully while providing support for the person who has been bullied and a range of strategies will be available to use.

5. When incidents are reported, school procedures will be followed.

6. Through classroom programmes, students will learn to recognize bullying behaviours and the effect of these.

7. The definition of bullying should be explained to staff and children at the start of each year and published for parents in school newsletters. The information should be repeated at any time felt necessary by staff.

8. Procedures and strategies will be reviewed through consultation with the school community.

9. Staff training needs will be identified and planned annually, usually at the start of each new school year.

10. Where required programmes on bullying matters will be offered to parents. Any information (coming to the school’s notice) on programmes available beyond the school will be forwarded to them. Parents will also be encouraged to forward ideas to the school.

11. The West Eyreton School Harassment Procedures may need to be implemented in some other circumstances of bullying.