The KiVa program is being implemented at our school!

What is KiVa?

Supporting Years 2-10, KiVa is proven to make a difference. KiVa stands for against bullying or anti-bullying. KiVa is a research-based tool to prevent and reduce bullying problems. It focuses on teaching our tamariki respect and acceptance of all students, their culture and identity.

What is bullying?

Bullying is defined as harmful, deliberate, and repeated behaviour targeted toward a person who is perceived as less powerful. Bullying has many negative outcomes, and some of these can be lifelong. We know that bullying occurs at all ages and across all areas of society. Still, often a child’s first experience of this behaviour happens in school.

KiVa in schools

The KiVa programme consists of 10 lessons and activities conducted over the school year. The lessons incorporate discussions about bullying and respecting others. KiVa is a whole school approach and has three main aspects: prevention, intervention and monitoring. The work done at the classroom level aims to educate students about their role in stopping bullying. Putting an end to bullying becomes possible when a shared sense of responsibility is developed, and group norms are changed.

Discuss bullying with your child even if s/he is not bullied or does not bully others. It is important that you and your child together think about what to do if someone is being bullied at their school!

If you wish to notify the school about any bullying issues, please email mark.maddren@westmelton.school.nz. If we know about bullying, we can support the student and stop the behaviour.

The KiVa Parents’ Guide is available on the KiVa website at https://data.kivaprogram.net/ parents

Stuff Article about KiVa in our Rolleston Learning Community - Ngā Peka o Tauwharekākaho