A Message from the Head of Secondary

At the start of this term, I wrote to you about the important role our students play in ensuring our school remains a safe and welcoming place for all. During assembly, I encouraged our student body to begin the process of training to be upstanders—preparing themselves for those moments when they find themselves in situations that challenge their values. Being an upstander is a crucial part of creating a community free from bullying, racism, sexism, and discrimination. This message is continuously reinforced at school.

This week, our Year 10 students attended a powerful presentation called Courage to Care, where they heard firsthand accounts from Holocaust survivors and discussed the vital role upstanders played in some of history’s darkest times. This topic was also addressed in our assembly, and our student notices this week have carried strong messages about upstander behaviour. Next week, during Bullying No Way week, we will continue this important conversation with our students.

I want to invite you, as parents, to join us in this effort. Working in partnership, we can help our young people navigate growing up in a world where messages are often absorbed through social media without the benefit of guidance from responsible adults. Starting conversations around this topic—whether at the dinner table, in the car on the way home from school, or after training—can be a valuable tool to ensure the values our youth hear are those we want them to embrace.

I thank you in advance for your support in helping us create a safe and inclusive community where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Here is a conversation starter from today’s student notices:

What did you choose yesterday? Who are you, and who should you become?

I hope you chose… D) the Upstander, who tries to help or support the person being bullied.

There is time for you to become the Upstander from today! Here’s why you should go with option D every time:

1. Standing up to bullying can be a real game-changer
   Research shows that when someone steps in and stands up to bullying behaviour, it’s likely to stop right away. Most people also agree that bullying is wrong, so it’s likely that your mates feel just as uncomfortable about the bullying as you do. If you’re worried about being the first one to step in, you could talk to a trusted mate and check whether you have their support. By taking the lead, you’ll make it easier for everyone else to be an Upstander, too.
2. Bullying has more serious effects than you might think
   For the person being bullied, the effects can include feelings of confusion, rejection, stress, fear, shame, or embarrassment. Bullying can even cause anxiety, depression, or physical illness.
3. If you’re scared, imagine how the person being bullied feels!
   It’s normal to feel scared about stepping in. No one wants to get caught in the crossfire and become the next target. But try to imagine what it’s like to be the person being bullied. They’re probably feeling really horrible. If you’re not comfortable stepping in when the bullying is happening, you could get the student’s attention and ask them to help you with something, or you could contact the person being bullied later to let them know you’ve got their back and report it to a Teacher/Year Patron or nobullying@scas.nsw.edu.au.
4. You’d do it for your BFF
   Sometimes, when we’ve got a tough job on our hands, we start making excuses. But no matter how you spin it, bullying is always wrong and never fair. If you find yourself making excuses for bullying, try to imagine how you’d feel if your best mate was being treated that way. Remember: no one deserves to be bullied, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to try to stop it.
5. Stepping in will help keep your squad up to scratch
   A solid squad will always have each other’s backs. That means being an Upstander when one of your mates is being bullied, but it also means pulling your mates up if they’re bullying someone else. This can be tricky, but just because someone is your friend, it doesn’t excuse them bullying others. If you’re concerned about a friend who is bullying someone else, their behaviour could be a sign they’re not in a good place. If you’re not comfortable speaking to them directly, send a message to let them know you’re worried, or have a chat with your Year Patron or Wellbeing teacher.