Roles of the Stakeholders

Roles of the school

At HBHS members of the school community have rights and responsibilities. Students and staff have the right to feel safe and protected from bullying and harassment. The school responds quickly and firmly against bullying wherever and whenever it occurs.

The school is responsible for the implementation of an anti-bullying policy. The central components are strategies which are utilised for anticipated incidents. HBHS fosters a structured approach when dealing with student bullying.

Level 1

• an incident record is kept
• students are interviewed to ascertain the facts. A “No Blame” approach is used.
• students are counselled
• relevant school-based strategy is administered

Level 2

• parent involvement including notification and interview
• interventions across the school involving Deputy Principals, Head Teacher Wellbeing, Head Teachers and classroom teachers
• use of monitoring structures
• use of relevant support structures at school or available to the school

Level 3

• discipline code. Students who persist in bullying, despite counselling and support, may be suspended and ultimately excluded from school. Students may be immediately suspended or excluded from school depending on the severity of the bullying.

Roles of the parent

Your parent /carer role is to support your child/ward and collaborate with the school to resolve any issue /s related to bullying and harassment.

If your son is involved in bullying, either as a target or as an aggressor, communicate details to the school. Contact a Deputy Principal or Year Adviser as soon as possible.

• Note ways and warning signs that indicate your son is being bullied.
• Refer to the HBHS Anti-Bullying Policy, DEC website and relevant websites (see Resources).
• If you suspect your son is involved in bullying at school encourage your son to talk to you, or a trusted adult family member, about it.
• Tell your son you are there to help him should he need it.
• Do NOT encourage your son to retaliate either physically or verbally.
• Listen carefully and sympathetically. Try to get relevant detail in a calm and non-judgemental manner.
• Describe accurately what has been happening to your son to your contact at the school.
• Encourage your son to tell someone at school about it.
• Stay involved in your son’s use of new technologies
• Set rules over use of social media. Make sure your son knows what information he can share by phone or post online and which websites they can visit.
• Discuss and negotiate the amount of time your son can spend online and ensure he maintains a balance.
• Encourage and support your son in developing his talents and participating in extra-curricular activities or school initiatives that will build confidence and friendships.
• Collaborate with staff in developing or utilising strategies related to building resilience in students.