Our shared values of Respect, Responsibility and Personal Best are used to guide our words, actions, behaviours and decision-making. These values are reflected in our school motto and school pledge and form the basis for our shared expectations/school rules.

Strategies you can teach your child 1. It is important to help your child to find their own solution as this will help them feel

that they have some control over the situation. If your child is not in any immediate danger and they feel confident, they could try these strategies: Ignore the bullying. Turn their back and walk away.

Act unimpressed or pretend they don’t care. Say “No” or “Just stop!” firmly.

2. Teach and practise “Stop! Walk! Talk!” “STOP!” Use a clear hand sign and say in a strong voice “Stop, it! I don’t like it”.

“WALK” away without saying anything and go and “TALK” to an older student, teacher, parent or trusted adult.

3. Teach them not to be a bystander! Most bullying takes place when bystanders are present. Teach your child to

DO THE RIGHT THING—report bullying behaviours.

Preventing and Responding to Bullying

Our shared vision and values

Our school motto Our school pledge

Respect Responsibility Personal best

To thine own self be true.

I will be honest with myself I will be loyal to my school I will respect others I will care for my world

Approaching the children of other parents It is the school’s responsibility to look into and address student welfare issues following Departmental guidelines. The school has very clear processes to ensure that issues are handled fairly and sensitively.

Under no circumstances should parents approach or chastise the child of another parent contact or confront the parent of a child about a school related concern, particularly

if they are feeling angry, frustrated or upset. Parents who breach this code of conduct will be sent a reminder of the Communication Guide, with repeat offences potentially triggering either the Complaints Handling Policy or Inclosed Lands Act Policy.

This pamphlet should be read in conjunction with Middle Harbour Public School Student Discipline Policy and Preventing and Responding to Bullying Policy available from the school website.

Behaviour Code for Students Our shared values of Respect, Responsibility and Personal Best are used to guide our words, actions, behaviours and decision-making.

Show respect

Listen and communicate with respect and kindness Respect the opinions and feelings of others Allow others to learn Allow the teacher to teach

Show responsibility

Follow teacher instructions Keep your hands and feet to yourself

Be honest Take responsibility for your actions Take care of your belongings and those of others

Work, move and play safely

Do your personal best

Get along with others Aim high and set goals

Persist and put in the effort

Rights, respect and responsibilities Our school community believes that all students have the right to learn, right to be safe,

right to be treated with dignity and respect, and the

responsibility to uphold and respect the rights of others.

The following questions point back to our school expectations and guide students in making responsible choices and decisions:

Is it fair? Is it safe?

Is it the right thing to do?

What bullying is and what you can do if your child has been bullied. 1. Listen calmly to your child’s side of the story Your child needs to know that they are being heard. Listen to their concerns, ask ques-tions to get more details if needed: who, what, where, when. Misunderstandings and arguments are pretty common in the playground. Children are still developing social skills and learning how to communicate with others. It’s important to recognise there are often multiple stories which is why it’s important to communicate with the school.

2. Check your child understands what bullying is Not every incident or disagreement that upsets a student can be defined as bullying – sometimes it's a one-off problem or a genuine misunderstanding. Bullying is different. Bullying is defined by three key features: it involves a misuse of power in a relationship

it is ongoing and repeated it involves behaviours that can cause harm. Physical and verbal bullying, such as kicking or name calling can be easy to see (overt). Other types of bullying, such as social exclusion or spreading rumours are not as easy to see (covert). More information at https://antibullying.nsw.gov.au/ 3. Ask your child what they want to do – and what they want you to do Explain to your child that reporting the bullying is okay. Teach your child some simple strategies so they can stand up for themselves and for others. (see back page)

4. Be a positive role model for your child Our students learn from the example we set and the behaviours they observe. It is im-portant that all parents model the school values of respect, responsibility and personal best at all times.

5. Report Bullying Behaviours The school has very clear processes so that issues are handled fairly and sensitively.

If the bullying happened at school, support your child to tell a teacher. If needed, make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher or the stage

supervisor. If you unsure who to speak to ring the office.

You can also report bullying behaviours using the online EForm on Skoolbag and/or email or ring the school and ask for a return phone call.