You are here Parents Anti-Bullying Policy

Our school has decided to have a written anti-bullying policy to show to all children, parents and staff that bullying, either physical or verbal, is not tolerated either in school or on the way to or from school or on school bus. Moreover, everyone will be expected to ensure that bullying does not happen and will have a responsibility to tell - emphasising that this is not 'telling tales'.

What is bullying?

A child is bullied when one or more children expose him or her repeatedly and over time to physical or verbal abuse. The attacks or assaults need not necessarily be direct but may take a less visible and indirect form such as social isolation and exclusion from the group. Bullying knows no boundaries of age, sex or background.

What are the possible signs of bullying?

Children may:

•  Be frightened of walking to or from school

•  Be unwilling to go to school

•  Beg a parent to drive them to school

•  Begin doing poorly in their school work

•  Come home regularly with books or clothes destroyed

•  Become withdrawn, start stammering

•  Become distressed, stop eating

•  Cry themselves to sleep

•  Have nightmares and even call out "leave me alone"

•  Have unexplained bruises, scratches, cuts

•  Have their possessions 'go missing'

•  Refuse to say what's wrong

•  Constantly complain of headaches or seem anxious

•  Give improbable excuses to explain any of the afore mentioned

What can parents do?

Take a sensible approach. Listen and investigate. The child must be told that he/she is undoubtedly not the only victim and that there is nothing wrong with him/her. It is essential that parents are particularly loving and sympathetic towards their bullied children. Every opportunity should be taken to enhance their self-esteem . Bullied children should not be encouraged to hit back. Usually the bully is physically stronger. Children must be encouraged to tell their parents. The child or parent must tell the class teacher.

Teachers will work to educate children on the difference between "telling tales" and telling on bullies. Children, especially the younger ones, do not always understand this. If their children see bullying, the parents should encourage them to tell. By telling they are helping the victim and the bully.

Helping the bully

While it is distressing for most parents to discover that their child is the victim of bullying, it can be equally upsetting for the parents to learn that their child is a bully. The bully is usually an insecure person and he/she needs help.