At the heart of every thriving school community is a shared commitment to kindness, respect, and safety. As we continually strive to be a school where every student feels they truly belong, it’s important to reflect on the reality of bullying: what it is, how it can appear in different forms, and how we, as a united school and family community, can stand together to address it.

Bullying is more than just a disagreement or occasional conflict; it involves repeated, intentional harm to another person. It can take many forms,  some visible, others much harder to see. It might look like physical bullying (hurting someone’s body or belongings), verbal bullying (name-calling, teasing), social bullying (excluding someone or spreading rumours), or cyberbullying (using technology to hurt or humiliate). Each form can leave deep and lasting impacts.

Sadly, bullying is something that all schools and indeed all workplaces can experience at times. It is a human challenge, not a reflection of a weak community. What defines a great community is not the absence of bullying altogether, but the way it proactively identifies, addresses, and manages it with courage, empathy, and consistency.

What’s crucial to understand is that bullying thrives in silence. This is why open conversations at home, at school, and between us are so powerful. When students know that adults will listen and act with care, they are far more likely to speak up early and seek help.

Families and schools play complementary roles in fostering a culture where bullying has no place:

• At home, families can help by creating safe spaces for children to talk about their day, their friendships, and any worries they might have. Encouraging empathy, teaching assertiveness (not aggression), and modelling respectful relationships all lay important groundwork.
• At school, we are committed to teaching students about respect, inclusion, and kindness through daily interactions, our wellbeing and values sessions, and clear policies. We also respond thoughtfully and firmly when issues arise, striving to ensure that every student knows they are supported.

The strongest message we can send our young people is this: you are not alone. When families and schools work together, when we listen, believe, and act with consistency and care, we not only address bullying when it happens, we also shape a culture where it struggles to take root in the first place.

It’s a journey we are on together. By standing side by side, we can continue to embolden hearts, inspire minds, and build a community where every student feels safe, valued, and ready to thrive.

If you ever have concerns or questions about bullying, or if your child needs support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we are stronger.

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