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Whole school community |
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Building a safe and supportive school and preventing bullying |
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Develop active, trusting relationships among all school community groups |
Trust creates the basis for healthy debate in a truly civil society. School communities can't come together to discuss in depth the issues of bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence without first establishing trusting relationships based on positive experiences with others. As part of this process, schools can identify those issues that may be considered 'unspeakable' – and those young people and adults who are not being heard. The creation of safe spaces based upon cooperation, openness and shared power allows for discussion and debate where all members of a school community can speak about their issues and contribute to solutions.
When schools are able to encourage this sense of belonging and the involvement of all groups, particularly staff and students, bullying is reduced. Students feel safer and more confident when they experience positive relationships with a high degree of openness and trust.
A rural and remote secondary school has cultivated a culture of trust through dialogue. All individuals and groups are valued and encouraged to participate and communicate with other stakeholders in the school community through forums and decision-making bodies focused on creating ideas and resolving concerns constructively.
Demonstrate sensitivity
Intellectualise together
Adopt a 'no blame' approach
Listen for deeper understanding
Observe from above
Generate new meanings
Uncover opportunities from impasses
Encourage ideas from left field
Suspend judgment.
Schools in action:
Engaging school community members
in positive change
"Four of my children are at the school right
now and they are very happy here. The reasons are that the teachers really
keep
an eye on the kids. The principal also speaks quietly
and he doesn't talk
down to kids — the students
respect him. It's a small school and
the students
know everyone. I like it when I come up to
the school, because
there is a parents'
room and Indigenous people are
made welcome here."
Schools in action:
Valuing cultural diversity
