Engaging students
It is important to support students to be active in speaking up about and counteracting bullying in the school in three ways:
- Student representation on school decision-making bodies
- Student-run groups and projects
- Student decision-making within the curriculum and classroom
Student participation can be enhanced through discrete projects within classrooms or schools...
through to ongoing approaches that underpin how the whole school or class goes about its work.
In each case, the critical factor is that the outcomes are considered valuable by the students,
the wider community and the school.
Academic Roger Holdsworth has worked on many student voice and active citizenship projects. He describes some of the ideas that make a difference:
- Peer teaching and support
- Community research
- School development
- Community media production
- Consultation and advice
- Local service development
- Community resource production
- Job/work creation and enterprise education
(Links to DEEWR Civics and Citizenship website)
Bullying. No way! acts of kindness awards
Active bystanders are a key element in preventing bullying. Start an award with a name that fits in with your school colours or motto. Students nominate classmates who they believe have played an effective role in preventing bullying and helping make your classroom or school a safe and friendly place.
Bullying. No way! shirt day
Students and staff take a stand against bullying by wearing the same colour shirt to school on a designated day to make a positive united statement about the importance of safe learning environments free from bullying. Don’t forget to take a photo and send it to your local paper!
Bullying. No way! school assembly
Devote an entire assembly to bullying prevention. Here are some suggestions: have a speaker talk about bullying prevention; present the Acts of Kindness awards; students perform an anti-bullying sketch or song. Get creative - the more engaging your assembly, the more success you'll have spreading the word about bullying prevention!
Bullying. No way! communication campaign
Some ideas for getting the word out about bullying prevention at your school.
- Reserve space in your school newsletter, newspaper, website and or yearbook for content related to bullying prevention. This could take the form of a tip sheet or FAQ. Check out the BNW! FAQs section for ideas.
- Use billboards and posters to display anti-bullying messages around the school and the community.
- Attach perspex frames behind toilet doors for posting a range of information and advice for students e.g. what is bullying behaviour, bystander behaviour, and suggestions about what to do if you see someone being bullied.
- Choose a wall that people frequently walk by and set it up as an official graffiti site. Students then write or draw comments about bullying eg personal stories about bullying, how they helped someone who has been bullied, or a fact about bullying prevention. Keep a close watch on the wall to ensure everything written on it is appropriate.
Examples of what schools are doing
Examining gender, race and class
A large urban school in Brisbane uses action research to investigate questions about violence and justice in their school community.
Student-driven change Students lead the way in addressing friction between cultural groups in an outer city school community.
Examples of other ideas and resources
Taking Action, Keeping Safe
A resource for student leaders to counter bullying (2005) New South Wales Department of Education and Training.
This resource provides strategies and support materials for student leaders and teachers to increase students'
knowledge and understanding of bullying.
For more ideas, visit the Bullying. No way! Talk out Spotlight on Student Voice: ' What do people think about this? What does the research say?'
International connections
TakingITGlobal.org
A global online community of young people working towards positive social change.
The site's creator Michael Furdyk is also profiled by Bullying. No
way! Profiles/Champions.
I Power I
Anti-Bullying Events For Young People By Young People (UK)
www.antibullyingweek.co.uk
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