Bullying
Refer also to: Bullying – Resources
Bullying occurs when one person has power over another because of their size, difference, strength or status, and uses that power to threaten or harm the other person.
Young people who are being bullied live with constant stress, never knowing when the bullying will occur and trying to find ways to avoid it. They can suffer from anxiety, depression, physical illness, and behavioural problems. It is not surprising that they are often reluctant to take part in school activities, are more likely to truant from school, less likely to stay in full-time education, and are less likely to feel safe, achieve, be healthy and make a positive contribution to their community. It should therefore be central to a school's ethos that all pupils feel they are safe and protected from bullying. Creating a safe and inclusive atmosphere builds a sense of community within the school which will, in turn, develop and sustain the community which the school serves and supports.
Bullying can happen in different forms: student bullying (from students to students), workplace bullying (from adults to adults), bullying of students (from adults to students), and harassment of teachers by students. Bullying may be directed at particular students because of characteristics that others see as 'different' such as:
- racist bullying that is usually aimed at minority ethnic groups
- bullying of students with special needs
- homophobic bullying that is because of perceived or actual sexual orientation
- transphobic bullying that is aimed at those who are known or believed to be trans/gender and/or do not seem to fit standard gender norms
- sexual harassment that is unwelcome sexual attention that makes the recipient uncomfortable.
Schools are expected to treat bullying as the serious matter that it is. The National Administration Guidelines (NAGs) state that schools are required to "provide a safe physical and emotional environment for students".
The New Zealand Curriculum outlines the vision for all young people in New Zealand through values and key competencies. The curriculum supports and empowers all students to learn and achieve personal excellence, regardless of their individual circumstances.
Schools play a critical role in the social and emotional development of young people. Evidence suggests that positive educational experiences and a good level of academic achievement can contribute significantly to enhancing self-esteem and confidence, better employment, life opportunities, and social support.
Look at these resources on bullying that may be useful to your school.
