Goondiwindi State High School does not tolerate bullying in any form. Bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence are abuses of power that jeopardise the rights and wellbeing of others.
Goondiwindi State High School is working to make the school environment safer, more supportive and respectful for all young people and adults - a place where everyone is free from bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence.
Students can anonymously report bullying incidents about themselves or something they have witnessed, by going online using Stymie. Stymie is an online tool where students or parents can anonymously send information about someone who they think may need support with bullying issues or other issues relating to harm. Students may also make a notification about themselves; it will still be anonymous. An email notification will then be sent to our Welfare Team for follow up. Students can also collect a bullying incident form from the iCentre, which can be completed and lodged in the Bullying Box on the iCentre counter.
What happens when bullying is reported:
- Filling in a BULLYING REPORT is the first step to making the bullying stop.
- The target will be interviewed by a Year Level Co-ordinator (YLC) and referred to a Welfare Team member.
- The bully is interviewed by YLC to help them understand that they have behaved in an inappropriate and hurtful manner. They will have one week to stop their behaviour.
- If no improvement is seen, the YLC may review the bully’s behaviour level and may place the bully on a behaviour card for monitoring for another week. If still no improvement:
- the matter may be taken to Head of Department or Administration
- parents may be contacted
- bully may be referred to the Welfare Team
- change in behaviour level and Year Level Coordinator daily monitoring may occur
Serious and/or physical abuse may result in SUSPENSION.
How can Parents and Guardians help?
Parents can submit bullying incidents online using
Stymie. Our Welfare Team will receive an email notification when an incident is lodged.
Positive parental support and influence is vital. You are the most influential models in your children’s lives. The following is some helpful advice that will support our efforts to reduce the incidences of bullying.
Build a welcoming and inclusive home environment:
- Encourage your child to develop friendships.
- Acknowledge and accept differences in others.
- Foster in your child an acknowledgment and acceptance of the differences in others.
Encourage your child’s self esteem:- Value your child for who they are.
- Be positive in your words and actions.
- Nurture and support your child’s positive qualities so they can develop their talents with confidence.
Discuss social, community and relationship issues openly. - Discuss and support school expectations about behaviour.
- Discuss how your child should respond if bullied.
- Discuss what your child should do as a witness to bullying.
Be observant, look out for signs such as:
- Unwillingness to attend school.
- Wanting to be driven to or from school.
- Declining academic performance.
- Loss of interest in sporting or social events.
- Asking for or stealing money.
- Unexplained bruises, scratches or torn clothing.
- Changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
- Refusal to say what the problem is.
- Headaches and stomach aches, becoming withdrawn.
- Taking it out on others at home.
Don’t be swayed by your child’s pleas not to interfere because of their fear of retaliation. For your child’s sake, bullying needs to be addressed.
Key Staff
Year Level Co-ordinators - 2022
Year 7 - Anna Pateman
Year 8 - Nathan Dougherty
Year 9 - Al Moore
Year 10 - Michelle Bate
Year 11 - Jenna Andreatta
Year 12 - Olivia Nelson
Helpful Links
eSafety:
www.esafety.gov.auBeyond Blue:
Kids Helpline:
1800 55 1800
eHeadspace:
1800 560 890
Parentline:
1300 30 1300