Anti-Bullying

At Hunters Hill High School, all students and staff have the right to learn and work in a safe environment.  This school believes that bullying is an unacceptable behaviour that is not to be tolerated.  It is the responsibility of the whole school community to ensure that bullying, including harassment and discrimination, does not occur.

What is Bullying ?

  • Bullying can be lots of different things.  It can be verbal, hitting, pushing, kicking or anything that causes harm to anybody else.  It is a persistent behaviour that is unwanted, unasked for and repeated against a person or other persons.

Strategies to Assist Students in Coping with Bullying

Our school counsellor recommends the following strategies to assist students in managing situations when they feel concerned about possible bullying :

  1. Use protective actions: stay in groups in the playground; avoid the out of bounds areas and stay in sight of an adult.
  2. Never allow yourself to be drawn into harassing others as this could lead to retaliation against you.
  3. Never pass on gossip as this can be hurtful to others and make them angry with you.
  4. Resolve conflict with calm words and try for a win / win outcome.  Leadership involves compromise.
  5. Be a positive bystander i.e. verbally and non-verbally discourage others involved in bullying and harassment.
  6. Offer support for the victim and actively encourage the victim to seek support from appropriate staff.
  7. Talk to your parents / carers about what is happening to you.

Steps in the School's Anti-bullying Plan

  • Step 1: All students should ensure that they have clearly said "NO" to whatever form of bullying or harassment they have encountered.
  • Step 2: If the behaviour persists, the student or groups of students, teaching and non-teaching staff or parents make an initial contact with a preferred member of staff such as the Year Adviser, School Counsellor, Executive Staff or teacher.
  • Step 3: Students complete a written report of the incident. The matter is investigated. A staff member addresses all students involved in the incident detailing each student's responsibilities under the school's Anti-bullying Policy.
  • Step 4: A staff member will implement mediation strategies if incidents are continuing the students and the students are willing to participate in the mediation.
  • Step 5: If the incident remains unresolved after mediation, or it is very serious, the matter is referred to the Deputy Principal and/or the Principal for action.
  • Step 6: The incident proceeds within the confines of the Discipline System, with suspension being an option should there be no resolution of the complaint.