From the Deputy Principal – Staff and Student Wellbeing, Mr Patrick Brennan

Read more: National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence, 2022 May Procession, ‘It’s Time We Talked’ Parent Event.

---

National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence

All of this week, Wellbeing groups have been discussing strategies to combat bullies. On Friday, we celebrated the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative celebrates 12 years of action, empowering our College community to find workable solutions to prevent bullying.

The theme for 2022 is ‘Kindness Culture.’ By building Kindness Culture together, we can promote inclusion, respect and community belonging for all students at the College.

Building Kindness at Big Brother, Little Brother

In addition to wellbeing content and discussion at Thursday’s assembly, Years 5 and 10 took part in the Big Brother, Little Brother program, enjoying a BBQ lunch, followed by some time together at Bondi Beach, where they were challenged to come up with images as a House that say ‘no’ to bullying.

Our aim is to create a shared understanding of what bullying is, and encourage our students to be upstanders, by stepping in or letting someone know when bullying is occurring. All of us in our community have a role to play in bullying prevention.

What Can Families Do?

The College can be much more effective when parents report bullying to their son’s Head of House and support our efforts to deal with it.

If your son reports that bullying is occurring at school, or the bullying involves students from the College outside of school, you should let the College know about the situation.

Working together with the College is the best way to help your child resolve bullying issues.

The College will work with you to resolve the situation, and will also work with the other student’s parents. Due to privacy laws, we are not able to share information about any other students involved.

Tips for Contacting the College

Remain calm and focus on being constructive (even if you feel upset).

Prepare by:

• checking our policy on bullying, which can be found on the College website

• making a time to talk with your son’s Head of House, either by phone, by email or by setting up a Zoom or face-to-face meeting

• writing notes, (and any other records,) based on what your son has told you, so that you can be as clear as possible about what happened. The more information and evidence that you can provide, (names, screenshots, text messages, witnesses’ names etc), the easier it will be for the College to follow your contact up in a timely manner

• allowing time for procedural fairness. Many cases of bullying are not black and white. Some cases involve fault from both parties. The College investigates allegations of bullying thoroughly, taking statements from all students involved, witnesses, and sourcing evidence such as video footage.

• being clear about the definition of bullying. Bullying is an ongoing misuse of power in relationships, through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviours, that cause physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons. This can be online, face to face, or hidden.

Compulsory 2022 May Procession – Save the Date

Our annual May Procession is fast approaching.

When: Sunday, 1 May

Time: 12pm-1:30pm. Students need to be in the Quadrangle by 11:30am.

Where: Centenary Quad, Waverley College.

This wonderful celebration of our College founder, Blessed Edmund Rice, and Mary our Mother, is a compulsory event for all students. As such, full school uniform including blazer and tie must be worn.

Students need to get their names marked off by their Mentor on arrival.

‘It’s Time We Talked’ Online Parent Evening – Save the Date

When: Tuesday, 26 April

Time: 5:30pm

Where: Online

‘It’s Time We Talked’ is a violence prevention initiative that supports young people, parents, schools, government and the community sector, to understand and address the influence of pornography.

‘It’s Time We Talked’ grew out of Maree Crabbe’s work with young people in secondary schools and community settings.

Maree noticed that pornography was increasingly playing a role in how young people learn about, think about and experience sexuality.

The young people she worked with were keen to talk about pornography, but the adults in their lives often had no idea about pornography’s prevalence or influence – and those who did, often didn’t feel equipped to have the conversations.

These observations led to more questions, research, planning and writing. With significant philanthropic support, ‘It’s Time We Talked’ began in 2009.

Following a presentation to staff earlier in the day, Maree will be presenting to parents that evening.

How to Join the Zoom Meeting

>>> Click here to join the Zoom meeting.

Meeting ID: 896 5492 2955

Passcode: 864555

 

Mr Patrick Brennan

Deputy Principal (Staff and Student Wellbeing)

E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au