Anti Bullying and Student Safety
At Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Terrigal, every member of our school community has the right to learn and work in an environment that is safe, respectful and free from intimidation, humiliation and hurt.
Bullying is unacceptable at OLSS. Preventing and responding to bullying is a shared responsibility between students, staff, parents, carers and the wider school community. Our approach is guided by our school values of Respect, Mission, Belonging, Learning and Faith, and is focused on promoting safety, positive behaviour, social inclusion and right relationships.
What does OLSS define as bullying?
Bullying is repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological behaviour that is harmful and involves the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more people.
Bullying can include name calling, teasing, threats, exclusion, spreading rumours, physical aggression, intimidation or inappropriate use of technology. Cyber bullying refers to bullying through digital communication or technology that is intended to harm others, or is undertaken without concern for its impact.
Conflict between students, one off disagreements or single incidents of hurtful words or actions are not considered bullying, but they are still addressed by the school when they occur.
How does OLSS work to prevent bullying?
OLSS uses a whole school positive behaviour approach to prevent bullying and promote respectful relationships.
Our prevention strategies include explicit teaching of safe, respectful and responsible behaviour, social and emotional learning, conflict resolution, resilience, cyber safety, help seeking skills and the importance of being an upstander rather than a bystander.
Students are supported through classroom learning, pastoral care, PDHPE, Religious Education, KidsMatter, Rock and Water, Project Star, peer support, SRC led initiatives and regular whole school messages about respect, belonging and positive behaviour.
Staff also provide vigilant supervision across classrooms, playgrounds and transition areas to help maintain a safe and supportive school environment.
What happens when bullying is reported?
Bullying concerns can be reported by a student, parent, carer or staff member. Reports may be made in person, by phone or by email using the school’s communication processes.
All reported bullying incidents are taken seriously. Incidents are investigated, documented and recorded confidentially by school leaders, with relevant staff notified as required.
The school’s response depends on the nature of the incident and the students involved. Support may include restorative conversations, ongoing monitoring, individual behaviour plans, formal communication with families, counselling referral or additional support from school leadership.
How are families involved?
Families are important partners in preventing and responding to bullying.
Classroom teachers may contact parents and carers at an early stage when appropriate. For more serious or repeated concerns, the Principal or Assistant Principal will make contact.
Communication with families focuses on what the school can do and what the family can do to support the child. Parents and carers are encouraged to work calmly and collaboratively with the school, report concerns early and avoid dealing directly with other children or families.
What is Restorative Justice?
OLSS uses a Restorative Justice approach as part of its behaviour support and anti bullying response.
This approach helps students understand the impact of their behaviour, take responsibility for their choices and work towards repairing relationships with those they may have hurt or upset.
Restorative practices support accountability, empathy, positive behaviour and the restoration of respectful relationships.
What can students do if they experience or witness bullying?
Students are encouraged to seek help and report bullying to a trusted adult, teacher, buddy or friend.
Students are taught not to retaliate with physical or verbal abuse. If they witness bullying, they are encouraged to be an upstander, support the person being bullied, encourage them to report the concern and seek help from staff.
Where can families find more information?
Families can read the full OLSS Anti Bullying Policy for detailed information about definitions, prevention strategies, reporting processes, parent responsibilities and school responses.
