Talking and teaching about the impacts of bullying through everyday opportunities is the best way to make it clear that bullying is never ok.
Talking about bullying means it can't be hidden or overlooked in the busy school environment. Conversations provide opportunities for students to raise issues that adults may not have noticed, and to discuss concerns before they become long-term and entrenched.
Bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence are all interpersonal behaviours that can create or contribute to negative social situations and school environments. Identifying whether a situation is bullying or something else helps to determine the most appropriate response.
Teaching about bullying is ideally part of a comprehensive whole-school approach to promoting student engagement and wellbeing. A well-planned curriculum makes safe and supportive environments and relationships part of students' formal learning.
A comprehensive and coordinated curriculum across the whole school can play a significant role in preventing bullying.
The Australian Curriculum, Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework are 3 sources of information to support schools in the development of whole-school approaches and specific curriculum relevant to bullying and and respectful relationships.
Australian Curriculum
The
Australian Curriculum provides the framework for your school's anti-bullying teaching and learning activities.
The topics of bullying, resolving conflict and overcoming interpersonal issues can be explored in many curriculum areas. The sections specifically relevant to learning about bullying are:
- Personal and Social Capability (General capabilities)
- Health and Physical Education.
Early Years Learning Framework
For early childhood educators, the
Early Years Learning Framework describes the principles and practices that support and enhance young children's learning from birth to 5 years of age, including their social and emotional learning.
Australian Student Wellbeing Framework
The Australian Student Wellbeing Framework consists of an overarching vision, key elements, guiding principles, and effective practices to support the whole school community to build and maintain safety, positive relationships and wellbeing.
The 5 elements focus on leadership, inclusion, student voice, partnerships and support and provide the foundation for the whole school community to promote student wellbeing, safety and learning outcomes.
Learning about feelings, social interaction, diversity, social structures, discrimination, justice, power and conflict provide opportunities to explore the issue of bullying, why it happens and how to prevent it.