HOW TO FOSTER AN ANTI-BULLYING CULTURE AT SCHOOL

As part of our Child Safeguarding Awareness series, we will be using the Haut-Lac School blog to communicate accurate information on topics that could impact our school community. One such issue is bullying, a term which is frequently used but often misunderstood, especially within the framework of our Child Safeguarding Policy.

EN FRANCAIS

The aim of this article is to clarify what bullying is, explain why it qualifies as a form of peer-on-peer abuse, and discuss how it differs from normal conflicts or disagreements among students.

As an anti-bullying school, how do we define bullying

Bullying is a deliberate, repeated act of aggression where one individual or group seeks to intimidate, harm or dominate another person. Such behaviour is marked by a power imbalance and can take various forms:

• Physical bullying: hitting, pushing or damaging belongings
• Verbal bullying: name-calling, insults or threats
• Social bullying: excluding others, spreading rumours or attempting to damage someone’s reputation
• Cyberbullying: using digital platforms to harass, intimidate or embarrass others

https://acrossboundaries.ca/anti-bullying-prevention-and-awareness-week/ 

As an anti-bullying school, how do we differentiate between bullying and Peer-on-Peer Abuse

In our Child Safeguarding Policy, bullying is recognised as a type of peer-on-peer abuse.

Peer-on-peer abuse happens when children or young people harm or victimise their peers. Bullying, however, often implies psychological or physical harm with potential long-term impacts on the victim’s well-being.

As an anti-bullying school, how do we tackle the "mislabelling" challenge

A common issue we encounter is that well-meaning parents, who are eager to protect their children, mistakenly label peer conflicts as bullying. When children come home upset after a disagreement or social problem, parents often assume the worst, namely that their child is experiencing bullying.

While this response is natural, it’s essential to recognise that not all peer conflicts qualify as bullying. Misidentifying typical peer disagreements like the ones below may prevent us from addressing issues in the most suitable way.

• Arguments and misunderstandings
  Children frequently disagree or argue as they navigate social relationships. Although these interactions can be hurtful, they don’t always involve the intent or power imbalance that defines bullying.
  Disagreements between children may also stem from unresolved conflicts that keep resurfacing. Parents, who hear only one side, may quickly form judgments and easily misinterpret the situation as bullying. Encouraging open communication with both children and the school enables the consideration of all perspectives and proper resolution of issues.  
  
  
• One-off incidents 
  A single mean comment or heated argument doesn’t constitute bullying, though it may still require mediation or support.

Tips from our anti-bullies on how to recognise real bullying

To help identify bullying, here are a few key questions to consider:

• Is the behaviour repeated or part of a pattern?
• Is there a power imbalance?
• Is there intent to cause harm?

If the answer to these questions is “yes,” the behaviour may indeed be bullying and should be addressed accordingly.

How to become an anti-bullying champion

If you’re unsure whether a situation involves bullying, it’s important to voice your concerns.

Our school has clear procedures for handling these matters, and we encourage both parents and students to report any worries. Working together enables us to assess each situation thoroughly and ensure appropriate action is taken.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Communicate openly: If your child is upset about something that happened at school, take the time to listen and gather facts before labelling it as bullying. Consider whether the behaviour fits the definition of bullying.
2. Report concerns: If you believe your child or another student may be experiencing bullying, notify a teacher or school administrator. We will investigate thoroughly and respond appropriately.
3. Support problem-solving: Encourage your child to express their feelings and discuss challenges they’re facing. Many conflicts can be resolved with guidance and support from school staff.

Final thoughts

Bullying is a serious matter, but not every conflict between students fits this definition. By understanding what bullying entails and how it connects to peer-on-peer abuse, we can better protect our students’ well-being and provide appropriate support.

We encourage everyone in our school community - students, parents, and staff - to work together to foster an environment of respect, empathy and understanding. If you have any questions or concerns about bullying or peer-on-peer abuse, please reach out to our Child Safeguarding team.

Together, we can create a safer, more supportive environment where issues are addressed properly, and every child feels valued.

Renaud Milhoux
Head of Nursery, Infant & Primary