At Holy Cross Primary School, we aim to provide a loving and secure environment that values each child and their opportunity to develop spiritually, intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially.
Effective pastoral care relies on the development of authentic and respectful relationships. When positive relationships are maintained between staff, students and all members of the school community, an environment is cultivated that ensures kindness, tolerance, reconciliation, and growth. This is supported by respectful and supportive means of resolving conflict, raising concerns and developing mechanisms to understand and develop each person’s individuality. Should you have any concerns about your child’s well-being or relationships, please contact your child’s class teacher.
Under no circumstances are any forms of bullying (verbal, physical or psychological) tolerated at Holy Cross. It is imperative, though, that a clear understanding of what entails bullying is understood. For accurate information about bullying, please visit the Bullying No Way website. The website is managed by the Safe and Supportive School Communities Working Group, which has representatives from all states and territories, including the Catholic and independent schooling sectors.
Holy Cross, Glendale, closely adheres to the Diocesan Anti-bullying Policy and Support Documents (2019). The following procedures are adopted from these documents and apply to all members of the school community at Holy Cross Primary School, Glendale.
Reporting, Investigations & Record Keeping
Procedural steps in the instance of a disclosure – See Support Documents as per Diocesan Policy
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- Teacher Interviews all students involved in the incident.
- Refer to Bullying Assessment & Action Flowchart to determine if bullying has occurred.
- In the case of suspected bullying, have teacher complete Initial Action Tool. Inform principal or assistant principal. A case manager will be appointed to manage this alleged bullying matter.
- Case manager notifies parents of victim and perpetrator that an incident has been alleged and that an investigation is ongoing.
- Case manager collects information from all involved – either separate interviews or written statements.
- Case manager consults with principal or assistant principal who determines recommendations for actions, for example, counselling or social skills training. This will form the basis of an anti-bullying plan.
- Case manager records meeting notes, anti-bullying plan and copies to principal. Files remain secured with principal (hard copy and cloud-based).
- Case manager monitors, reviews situation with staff (during class reports at staff meeting), parents and students, until resolved.
- The victim – it is important that appropriate support measures are documented and put into place for an alleged victim, especially where heightened fear and concern is evident.
- The perpetrator – it is important an alleged perpetrator has a complete understanding regarding what behaviours and communications must not occur.
Possible Disciplinary Measures
- Disciplinary measures are outlined in the Pastoral Care & Discipline Procedures.
- It is essential the child understands why the behaviour is undesirable, and every effort should be made to help the child overcome the problem.
- Repeated or extreme incidences of bullying may involve the following steps (as per Pastoral Care & Discipline Policy & Procedures):
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- CSO notification, consultation and accessing relevant services
- in-school suspension
- out-of-school suspension
- partial enrolment
- alternative enrolment.
Police Intervention
- Police Intervention will be sought in any situation deemed necessary by the principal that has a confirmed incidence of possession of a weapon, extreme assault, or sexually explicit cyberbullying. Parents will be informed immediately when such action is necessary in order to ensure their presence in the process from that point on.
- School-based processes are to be used in relation to police interviews at school.
- Contact the School Liaison Police Officer if required.
Post-Investigation Support Services
- Programs, counselling services/external agency to be used to support any student affected.
- Access to the school’s complaints resolution procedures that apply to bullying matters.
- Outline any follow-up/monitoring process of students.
The Learning Support teacher may also work with a child or a group of children in programs that target social skills and resilience.