Bullying Prevention
Our commitment to your child’s safety
At Castlemaine Secondary College, every student has the right to feel safe, respected, included and valued. We are committed to creating a learning environment where all members of our community demonstrate our college values of Aspiration, Respect and Empathy.
We believe that positive relationships are fundamental to successful learning and wellbeing. Bullying, harassment, discrimination, racism, vilification and any behaviour that causes harm to another person are not tolerated at our college.
Our approach focuses on:
- promoting respectful relationships and positive behaviour
- teaching students the skills to build healthy relationships
- preventing bullying before it occurs
- responding promptly and fairly when concerns are raised
- supporting all students involved
- working in partnership with families to achieve positive outcomes.
What is bullying?
Bullying is repeated behaviour that is intended to cause physical, social or psychological harm. It involves an imbalance of power and can occur in person or online.
Bullying may include:
- physical aggression
- verbal abuse or intimidation
- social exclusion
- spreading rumours
- harassment
- cyberbullying through social media, messaging or online gaming.
Conflict, disagreement or isolated incidents between students are not generally considered bullying unless they become repeated and involve an imbalance of power.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is bullying that occurs through digital technologies such as:
- social media
- messaging apps
- online games
- websites
- mobile devices.
Students are encouraged to save evidence of online bullying where possible and report it to a trusted adult.
Families seeking additional advice can access the Australian Government’s eSafety Commissioner:
eSafety Commissioner
https://www.esafety.gov.au
The eSafety Commissioner provides advice, reporting tools and support for young people experiencing online abuse.
Racism and Discrimination
Racism has no place at Castlemaine Secondary College.
We are committed to providing a culturally safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment where diversity is celebrated and every student feels a genuine sense of belonging.
Racist behaviour, racial vilification, religious intolerance and discrimination are unacceptable and will be responded to promptly.
Students have the right to learn in an environment that:
- respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and histories
- values cultural, linguistic and religious diversity
- supports students from all backgrounds
- celebrates diversity as a strength of our school community.
Students, parents and carers are encouraged to report any incident of racism or discrimination, whether experienced personally or witnessed.
Castlemaine Secondary College responds to incidents of racism in accordance with the Victorian Department of Education’s Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools Policy.(Department of Education Victoria)
Department of Education Policy
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/preventing-addressing-racism-schools/policy
Families can also access additional Department information and translated resources here:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/preventing-addressing-racism-schools/resources
Reporting Bullying or Racism
Students, parents and carers are encouraged to report concerns as early as possible.
Reports may be made by contacting:
- the student’s Mentor Teacher
- the relevant Year Level Leader
- the relevant Sub-School Leader
- the Wellbeing Team
- an Assistant Principal
- the Principal.
Concerns may be raised in person, by phone or by email.
All reports are treated seriously and managed respectfully, confidentially and in accordance with Department of Education policy.
Where appropriate, the college will:
- investigate the concern
- support the students involved
- communicate with families
- implement strategies to restore positive relationships
- monitor student wellbeing and safety
- apply disciplinary action where required.
What happens after a report is made?
When a concern is raised, our staff will:
- Listen carefully and ensure everyone involved feels safe.
- Gather information from those involved.
- Investigate the concern fairly.
- Develop an appropriate response.
- Support students and families.
- Monitor the situation to ensure the behaviour has stopped.
Our goal is always to restore positive relationships while ensuring every student feels safe and supported.
Student Support
Students can seek support from any trusted staff member, including:
- Mentor Teachers
- Year Level Leaders
- Sub-School Leaders
- the Wellbeing Team
- the Mental Health Practitioner
- School Leadership.
Students are encouraged to seek help for themselves or if they are concerned about another student.
Working Together
Bullying prevention is most successful when schools, students and families work together.
Parents and carers can support their child by:
- encouraging open communication
- reporting concerns promptly
- working collaboratively with the school
- modelling respectful behaviour
- supporting agreed strategies.
Child Safety and Inclusion
Castlemaine Secondary College is committed to providing a child-safe environment where every student feels respected, valued and protected.
We actively promote:
- cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- inclusion for students with disability
- inclusion for culturally and linguistically diverse students
- inclusion for LGBTIQA+ students
- respect for every student’s identity, background and lived experience.
These commitments are embedded within our Child Safety and Wellbeing policies and align with the Victorian Child Safe Standards.(Victoria Government)
Related Policies and Resources
Castlemaine Secondary College
- Bullying Prevention Policy
- Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy
- Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
- Complaints Policy
- Digital Technologies / Acceptable Use Policy
Victorian Department of Education