As part of the West Preston Catholic Parish Community at St Raphael’s School, we endeavour to respond to the Gospel of Christ by supporting families across all areas in their role as prime educators of their children.
We journey together supporting and encouraging each other in our faith development.
Enriched by a supportive community, children will develop in all aspects, academic, emotional, physical, social and spiritual. (St Raphael’s School Philosophy)
Anti-Bullying
At St. Raphael’s we believe that it is the responsibility of members of the community – “students, parents, staff and clergy to respond to the Gospel call in offering care and support to enable each member to grow in their journey towards wholeness. This belief, grounded in Christian faith, requires us to recognise and affirm the innate dignity, worth and uniqueness of individual persons”
Consequently, we believe that all members of St. Raphael’s community have the right to feel that they are in a safe and secure environment. This can be best achieved through common understandings that are shared between home and school.
Our programs are designed to promote this feeling, as well as tolerance, respect for others, self-esteem and assertiveness.
Our Discipline Policy encourages personal responsibility for own behaviour, and the development of positive relationships.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is when someone is subjected to behaviour which is hurtful, threatening or frightening
Bullying can be conscious, planned and a repeated act
Bullying can be either an individual or group action
It can cause distress at the time and has the potential to be a threat in the future
Bullying can take a number of forms – Physical, Verbal, Non-verbal, Gesture, Sexual Harassment Telephone, E-mail, Extortion or Written.
Physical Bullying
Includes fighting, pushing, spitting, shoving, pinching, gestures, invasion of personal space or other unwelcome physical contact.
Verbal Bullying
Includes name calling, teasing, offensive language, spreading rumours about other, putting people down, belittling their abilities or achievement, picking on people, degrading or ridiculing their culture, race, physical appearance, gender, religious or social background.
Making suggestive comments or other forms of sexual abuse.
Gesture Bullying
Includes offensive notes or materials, graffiti, damage to other people’s property by interfering, stealing hiding or damaging or destroying it.
Telephone Bullying
Involves students who repeatedly phone others’ homes with the intention to harass or cause discomfort.
Extortion Bullying
Includes standover tactics, bullying others into giving up possessions, picking on others, threats to ‘get people’, forcing others against their will.
Non-Verbal Bullying
Involves the use of nasty body language, includes being left out of activities on purpose.
Prevention of Bullying
We have the following policies, programs and strategies in place in order to develop students’ self-esteem, personal responsibility and positive relationships.
Policies & Programs
R.E. Program
Pastoral Care Policy
Discipline Policy – which deals with School rules, Classroom and Playground Rules, Rights and Responsibilities
St. Raphael’s Kids Are Friendly Kids
Community Building Activities – School Masses, Weekly Assemblies
Science and Art Shows, School Concert
Prep and Year 6 Buddies
Camp Program
Sports Day
Strategies
Play areas designed for different activities – e.g. quiet yard
Co-operative group work in all classes
Class/Group Problem Solving
Classroom meetings
S.R.C. meetings
Extra-curricula groups – competition sporting activities – school choir
Acknowledgement of individual achievements
Behaviour Management Plan – where required for individual students
Intervention
Establish support groups for students involved – group members e.g. class teacher, student (perpetrator or victim) parents, R.E.C. or Principal
In support group – discuss incident/s, encourage student/s (victim) to request or suggest (perpetrator) how situation could be resolved
Make a Plan for what needs to happen
Set a date for a follow up meeting
St. Raphael’s Anti-bullying Policy is supported by several adult and student resources.
Most are compatible with our school’s integrated approach to teaching and learning.
Seasons
As part of St. Raphael’s School Pastoral Care Program trained companions will offer the Seasons Program to children who have suffered grief and loss as a result of death, separation, divorce, or life threatening illness of a loved one.
Seasons™ Loss and Grief is a unique peer support program developed by CatholicCare to help individuals and their families cope with the grief and feelings of loss resulting from separation, divorce, life threatening illness or death of a loved one. It is a peer support group that provides an opportunity for young people to express, acknowledge, normalize and integrate their grief.
Both companions and Participants will preserve the confidentiality of discussions within Seasons sessions. However, if disclosures are made which fall under the Mandatory Reporting Regulations the companions are required to report the matter to the Principal and the School Mandatory Reporting Policy will apply.
At the conclusions of the Sessions a debriefing session will be held with the companions and the Seasons Co-ordinator or other colleagues requested by the companions. These sessions will respect the confidentiality of the Seasons Group Participants by a sharing of experiences without individual participants being names.
The support of the whole staff for the Companions and Participants is essential to the success of the program but the confidentiality of the Seasons sessions and the debriefing will not at any time be breached unless required by the Principal within the Mandatory Reporting Policy of the School.