Bullying

Bullying can be defined in the following ways:

1. A repetitive attack causing distress not only at the time of the attack, but also by the threat of future attacks.
2. Involving an imbalance of power.
3. Its nature may be:

  • Verbal – name-calling, put-downs, threatening
  • Physical – hitting, tripping, poking, punching, kicking, throwing objects, stealing, hiding and/or damaging possessions or any unwelcome physical contact;
  • Social – ignoring, hiding, ostracising, spreading rumours;
  • Exclusion – being left out of activities on purpose, being ‘frozen out’ where the victim is treated as if they don’t exist, running away, spreading rumours, hurtfully making social invitations in front of, but not to the bullied student;
  • Gesture – non-verbal signals can be used by bullies to silence and intimidate their victims, e.g. looking at the victim in an unpleasant or threatening way or using inappropriate hand gestures;
  • Extortion – physically stronger and more powerful students may bully other students into giving up possessions, buying food and drink, etc.

What Being Bullied Feels Like

Some ways people say they feel when they are bullied are:

  • Scared
  • Worried
  • Depressed
  • Embarrassed
  • Sad
  • Sick
  • Lonely
  • Stupid
  • Stuck
  • School refusal
  • Confused
  • Alone
  • Angry
  • Mad
  • Fed up
  • Tired / difficulty sleeping
  • Not safe
  • Low self-esteem

What to do if you are being bullied

  • It’s best to tell the person that their behaviour offends you – the person may not realise that their behaviour is causing distress.
  • You could say any of the following:

"Please stop"
"Stop saying (doing) that – I don’t like it."
"You are not impressing your friends by saying that to me."

  • Talk with someone about it or get some help to deal with the situation.  Apollo Parkways Primary School has a number of people who are able to help you.  They can listen and offer advice, and set in place processes to resolve the issue.