Bullying Incursion

Last week our Year 7 and Year 8 boys participated in separate incursions that highlighted bullying behaviours in both interpersonal and online settings. The performances were humorous and engaging. The value of the incursions were in the reflections that followed each scene. These drew our boys attention to and engaged them in conversation about the fact that bullying behaviour in many cases in not intended as bullying and we don't realise it is being perceived as bullying until something is said about it and attention drawn to the actions. Bullying can be interpreted from many every day comments that might seem flippant or offhand. Comments that refer to height, weight, ethnicity, accents, physical performance and academic performance can be considered bullying. Good conversation was also had around the causes of bullying behaviour. In some cases the bully is also a victim of bullying, perhaps from outside the school. It may be seen as normalised behaviour in another setting or it may be attention seeking or status seeking behaviour. Threaded throughout both the Year 7 and Year 8 performances was the message: bullying can be stopped, in most cases through conversation. Saying nothing about bullying behaviour allows it to continue. In Middle School we continue to remind students that Homeroom Teachers, Mrs Giglia, Ms Lorimer our Middle School Psychologist, myself, in fact any staff member at the College, whether they are from the Maintenance shed to the Chapel can be approached at any time by a boy who may need help or to start a conversation about bullying. It is a behaviour that can be stopped and prevented.

Mr Richard Ledger

Head of Middle School