Welcome to Week Six.  This Friday, we are joining thousands of communities across Australia as we participate in the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.  Students are encouraged to wear orange on Friday.  As a school, we have clearly articulated processes to respond to bullying; these are included in our Student Code of Conduct. There are many resources to support families, as we know that our parents and carers also play a critical role in preventing and responding to bullying - https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/support-and-advice/for-families. 

Student Code of Conduct

Each week, we will focus on an aspect of Calliope’s Student Code of Conduct.  This week the focus is the school’s targeted approach to preventing and responding to bullying.  Everyone has a part to play to ensure our school is a safe space.

  Preventing and responding to bullying

 Calliope State School uses the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework to promote positive relationships and the wellbeing of all students, staff and visitors at the school.

 Our staff know student learning is optimised when they feel connected to others and experience safe and trusting relationships. Students who feel secure are more likely to be active participants in their learning and to achieve better physical, emotional, social and educational outcomes. Teachers who feel valued and supported are more likely to engage positively with students and build stronger connections within the school community. Parents who are positively engaged with their child’s education leads to improved student self-esteem, attendance and behaviour at school.  Enhancing the wellbeing of students and their educators delivers overall long-term social, health and economic benefits to the Australian community.

Bullying

 The agreed national definition for Australian schools describes bullying as

• ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm;
• involving an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening;
• happening in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records);
• having immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.

 Behaviours that do not constitute bullying include:

• mutual arguments and disagreements (where there is no power imbalance)
• not liking someone or a single act of social rejection
• one-off acts of meanness or spite
• isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence.

 However, these conflicts are still considered serious and need to be addressed and resolved.  At Calliope State School our staff will work to quickly respond to any matters raised of this nature in collaboration with students and parents. 

 The following flowchart explains the actions Calliope State School teachers will take when they receive a report about student bullying, including bullying which may have occurred online or outside of the school setting.  Please note that the indicative timeframes will vary depending on the professional judgment of teachers who receive the bullying complaint and their assessment of immediate risk to student/s.

 Calliope State School - Bullying response flowchart for teachers

 Please note these timelines may be adjusted depending on the unique circumstances and risk associated with each situation. This is at the professional judgment of the staff involved. Timeframes should be clearly discussed and agreed with student and family.

 Key contacts for students and parents to report bullying:

                Prep to Year 6 – Class teacher

School Opinion Survey

Thank you for taking time to provide us your feedback.  It isn’t too late – the survey closes this Friday. We want to hear from you!

The survey will take approximately 5 minutes using a computer, tablet or smart phone. 

Some reminders of upcoming events from the calendar include –

• Friday 18th August – Bullying No Way Day

Week 7 –

• Road Safety Week with QPS
• Book Week (including parade) Friday 25th August 9:15am

Week 8 – Prep 2024 interviews begin

• Friday 1st September – Student-free Day