As you are aware, our school is part of implementing the KiVa anti-bullying programme.

Our senior classes have been looking at the lesson on recognising bullying.

What is bullying?

• The same child is repeatedly and deliberately caused harm or distress to

• The child finds it difficult to defend themselves against the ones who are hurting them

  • because s/he is weaker, younger, shier or timider

  • because s/he is new in the class and does not know the other students yet

  • because there are many bullies

  • because of some other reason

The ākonga have been looking at conflict, fighting and bullying as often conflict and fighting are mistaken as bullying.

• Conflict is not bullying.

  • Two people disagree about something or want different things.

• An argument or fight is not bullying.

  • People are angry with each other, argue and bicker, say mean things or attack each other physically.

• Teasing is not bullying.

  • What then is the difference between teasing and bullying?

  • Teasing is well-intentioned as its purpose is not to hurt or harm. It does not make the target feel bad and can even make them laugh.

What is the difference between deliberate bullying and playful teasing? In deliberate bullying, the perpetrator intends to harm another person. They know it does not feel good but do not care. If the bullied student signals somehow (by facial expressions, gestures, words, actions) that they don’t like it, but others continue, it is bullying. Put yourself in the bullied student’s shoes and think about how you would feel in their place. Bullying is disrespectful and hurtful behaviour. “We were only playing” is not an excuse to bully anyone.

How do you recognise bullying?

• Does the purpose hurt someone’s feelings or make others laugh at someone’s expense?

• Does the victim feel bad or scared?

• Are several people against one in the situation, or does the victim find it challenging to defend themselves for some other reason?

Bullying is one-sided, unfair, and disrespectful! It is also repetitive!

Telling someone about bullying always pays. Please tell an adult about the bullying.

Our school has a team that tackles acute bullying cases and, together with the classroom teacher, ensures that the bullying stops. Please let your child’s teacher know if your child is being bullied or unhappy at school.