At St Columba Anglican School, fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students remains one of our core priorities. We are committed to building a culture of respect, empathy, and upstanding behaviour, where every student feels safe, valued, and empowered to thrive.
This year, we have actively reinforced this message through assemblies, wellbeing programs, and school notices, focusing on the critical role of upstanders—students who take positive action when witnessing bullying. These students have demonstrated courage in supporting their peers, contributing to a safer environment where everyone can focus on meaningful learning and personal growth. We celebrate and thank these individuals, whose actions exemplify the values we strive to instil.
We want all students to feel comfortable reporting any form of bullying, whether they witness or experience it themselves. In addition to conversations with trusted teachers or Year Patrons, students can use the nobullying@scas.nsw.edu.au email to confidentially report concerns. Our wellbeing staff and leadership teams are ready to listen, respond, and provide ongoing support to those affected.
We understand that bullying is a serious issue that can have lasting emotional, social, and academic impacts. Below are some key elements from our school’s anti-bullying policy to keep in mind:
What is Bullying?
Bullying is a repeated misuse of power intended to cause harm, whether verbal, physical, social, or online. It can take many forms, including:
- Physical: Hitting, pushing, or damaging personal belongings.
- Verbal/Written: Name-calling or insults targeting personal traits.
- Social/Relational: Spreading rumours, exclusion, or actions that damage reputations.
- Cyberbullying: Hurtful messages, fake accounts, or public humiliation through technology.
What is Not Bullying?
It’s also important to recognise that one-off disagreements or isolated incidents of conflict, while still requiring attention, are not considered bullying. However, these situations are monitored closely, as they can escalate if left unresolved.
Our Ongoing Prevention and Response Strategies
St Columba takes a proactive, whole-school approach to prevent bullying, including:
- Age-appropriate programs focused on building social and emotional competencies.
- Regular education for staff, students, and parents to raise awareness and provide tools for identifying and responding to bullying.
- Visible promotion of positive bystander behaviour, encouraging all members of our community to support one another.
- Easy and confidential reporting channels, empowering students to speak up and seek help.
- Monitoring and tracking reported incidents to address issues systematically and with care.
A Focus on Community and Learning
The rise in upstander behaviour among our students reflects the strength of our community and our shared commitment to safety. By promoting kindness and inclusion, we create an environment where students can focus on developing the 6Cs of Deep Learning—Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Communication—so they are prepared to succeed and flourish in the future.
We Are Here to Support You
Parents and guardians play a crucial role in this journey. We encourage you to remain attentive to your child’s emotional and social wellbeing and to contact us promptly if you have any concerns. Our partnership with families strengthens our collective efforts to create a school environment where every child can thrive.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to work together towards a safer and more inclusive school community.
Paul Rikmanis
Head of Secondary School