Bullying Policy

Aranmore Catholic College's Supportive Schools Team has created a new email address to report any incidents of bullying. Students may report something that has happened to them or something they have seen happen to another student. Every report will be treated as confidential.

The email address is : nobullying@aranmore.wa.edu.au

Aranmore Catholic College has a vision statement which challenges us to create a learning community that shows a quality of relating. As a Catholic school, we must stand by the calling of Jesus to love one another.

Our multicultural population also requires us to work harmoniously to build a caring, friendly environment where the diversity of people and culture is appreciated and valued. Each of us at Aranmore is recognised as a unique individual bringing special qualities and gifts to share and so we all have a right to be respected and a responsibility to respect each other.

Therefore, Aranmore Catholic College does not tolerate bullying in any form. All members of the Aranmore community are committed to ensuring a safe and caring environment which promotes personal growth, fosters positive self esteem for all and recognises our goals as a learning community.

What is bullying?

Bullying is an act of aggression causing hurt, embarrassment, pain or discomfort to others:

• it can take a number of forms -- physical, verbal, gesture, extortion and exclusion
• it is an abuse of power
• it may be planned and organised or it may be unintentional

Some examples of bullying include:

• any form of physical violence such as hitting, pushing or spitting on others
• interfering with another person’s property by stealing, hiding, damaging or destroying it
• using offensive names, teasing or spreading rumours about others or their families
• using ‘put-downs’, belittling other’s abilities and achievements
• writing offensive notes or graffiti about others
• making degrading comments about another’s culture, religion or social background
• hurtfully excluding others from a group
• making suggestive comments or other forms of sexual abuse
• ridiculing another person’s appearance
• forcing others to act against their will

If we are bullied:

• we may feel frightened, unsafe, embarrassed, angry or unfairly treated
• our work, sleep and ability to concentrate may suffer
• our relationships with our family, teachers and friends may deteriorate
• we may feel confused and not know what to do about the problem

What do we do to prevent bullying at Aranmore Catholic College?

As a learning community, we will not allow cases of bullying to go unreported. We will speak up, even at risk to ourselves.

This requires staff to:

• be role models at all times
• be observant for signs of distress or suspected incidents of bullying
• remove occasions for bullying by active supervision during yard duty
• arrive at class on time
• take steps to help victims and remove sources of distress without placing the victim at further risk
• report suspected incidents to the appropriate staff such as Year Coordinator or the relevant Head of Section
• inform parents and liaise with them to support the child

This requires students to:

• refuse to be involved in any bullying situation
• support students who are being bullied
• actively discourage the bully from continuing the behaviours
• report incidents of bullying to staff in order to seek help

If students who are bullied have the courage to speak out, they may help reduce pain for themselves and prevent others becoming potential victims.

Students who remain as observers while bullying takes place become part of the process of bullying by their presence and should be held responsible for that action.

The College recommends that parents:

• watch for signs of distress in your child, e.g. unwillingness to attend school, a pattern of illness, missing equipment, requests for extra money, damaged clothing or bruising
• take an active interest in your child’s social life and acquaintances
• advise your child to tell a staff member about any incidence of bullying. If possible, allow your child to report and deal with the situation. Your child can gain respect and confidence through taking the initiative and dealing with the problem without direct parental involvement.
• keep a written record (who, what, where, when and how)
• encourage your child not to retaliate but to seek an alternative solution to the problem
• be willing to attend interviews if your child is involved in an incident of bullying and work cooperatively with the College
• be willing to inform the College of any cases of suspected bullying even if your child is not directly involved or affected
• do not try to deal directly with the other children or their parents but work through and with the College

When the staff, students and parents of Aranmore Catholic College work together, we create a truly Christian environment.