Bullying is not OK!

We sometimes forget the effect that such a challenging year might have had on our younger children and may have noticed that they have been exhibiting behaviours that are out of character for them. It is important that we listen to their worries but more importantly watch for changes in their behaviour and talk to them about how they are feeling. All children react differently, and this year may has eroded some of their resilience and heightened their emotional reactions to certain situations.

Sometimes young students mistake getting hurt accidentally or a simple disagreement as acts of bullying, but the true definition of bullying is; an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm.

Educating our children about Bullying will help them to recognise true bullying behaviours and enable them to have the courage to stop the bullying with the help of adults, parents and peers. While these are still serious behavioural situations that students need support with, the following situations are good examples of what often gets mistaken by students as bullying.