What's this got to do with bullying?

Strategies enabling student voice, student leadership and student participation are common features of an effective whole school approach to maintain school safety. The honesty and enthusiasm of students can expose beliefs and unacceptable behaviours that can then be addressed. Students’ energy and persistence has been a major catalyst to change in many schools - changing the behaviour of students as well as the nature of the school environment.

Student voice promotes qualities for making a difference:

• reflection and self-evaluation
• independence and self-motivation
• interdependence and belonging
• ownership, commitment and increased pride in their school
• competencies for critiquing the environment
• empathy and compassion
• sense of responsibility to help others in need
• problem solving and decision making
• action focus, assertiveness and leadership.