Anti-Bullying

Our core values at Thornleigh Sixth Form are committed to the protection, support, and care of all members of the college community.

We believe that the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual welfare of the students is paramount. In doing so we wish to create an atmosphere where students and staff feel safe and secure and where they can enjoy positive and open relationships with each other. Students must also interact with staff and with fellow students without prejudice.

Persistent bullying can severely inhibit a child’s ability to learn effectively. The negative effects of bullying can have an impact on a person for their entire life. Thornleigh Salesian College wishes to promote a secure and happy environment free from threat, harassment and any type of bullying behaviour.

What is bullying?

The Department for Education outlines that bullying is the repeated behaviour by a group or individual, that intentionally hurts another group or individual either physically or emotionally. This can happen face to face or online (cyberbullying).

What does bullying look like?

Bullying can take place in a number of forms, such as:

1. Physical - When an individual/group of people hit, kick, push or undertake any other physical action against another person/group.

2. Verbal - When an individual/group of people make threats, name call, spread rumours, make racist, sexist or homophobic comments towards another person/group.

3. Online - When an individual/group posts hurtful comments on social media, send abusive text messages or shares hurtful photographs.

4. Emotional - When an individual/group intimidates, coerces, exclude or humiliates another person/group.

What should I do if I experience bullying?

• Tell the person to stop.

• Speak to someone you trust, preferably an adult. This could be a parent/carer at home or a member of staff at school.

• At school you can speak to one of teachers, your Form Tutor, your Head of Year or a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

• Use the facility on clascharts to log and wellbeing concerns.

Remember our Safeguarding team are here to support you with any questions or concerns you may have.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the repeated behaviour through the use of technology to intentionally hurt another person/group.

Just like with other forms of bullying, the college takes reports of cyberbullying very seriously and may review and record evidence of such bullying.

In support of limiting cyberbullying the college:

• Placed a ban on mobile phones.

• Limits access to social media and inappropriate websites on our school network.

• Provide age-appropriate assemblies and lessons on the safe and appropriate use of the internet.

• Provide parental information on how to keep children safe online.

• Promote ‘Upstanders’ rather than ‘Bystanders’.

• Provide students with links to support agencies to report incidents when not in school or not related to school.

• Requires all students to adhere to our ‘Acceptable User Policy’ in order to use ipads, chromebooks or computers in school.