Rationale (The Reasons)

We believe that all students have the right to learn in a safe and caring environment without the fear of being bullied. At Alwadi International School, we endeavour to promote good citizenship and make it clear that bullying is anti-social and contrary toour ethos, thus it iswrongandwill not be tolerated. We feel that it is important for students and parents / guardians to know that any bullying complaints will be dealt with firmly, fairly and promptly. We believe that no one person or group should tolerate this type of behaviour.

 

What is Bullying?

Bullying is defined as repeated verbal, social or psychological behaviour that is harmful and involves the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more persons.

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Type of Bullying:

 

• Physical–any form of violence, threat or intimidation.

• Verbal–verbal abuse can be defamation of character in the form of sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing, intimidation.

• Emotional –torment, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate

• Racism –in the form of taunt, graffiti, gesture, intimidate

• Exclusion–Being excluded from or left out of discussions / activities by those they believe to be their friends.

• Damage to property or theft–children may have their property damaged or stolen. The bully may use physical threats so that he gets ownership of the property.

• Cyber bullying–Misuse of social media such as Snapchat, X,Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Tiktok and Discord, etc, including email.

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“Bullying is not the same as falling out with your friend / friends.”

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Objectives of this policy

 

• Provide our students with opportunities to develop skills, which will build their self-awareness and self-management skills.

• Encourage students to be confident enough to inform on incidents of bullying or being bullied and that such information is acceptable.

• All teaching, non-teaching staff, students and parents should understand what bullying is and when it should be reported

• In Alwadi, we assure students and parents that all reports of bullying will be taken seriously and dealt with promptly.

 

Procedure to report cases of bullying

 

• Report all bullying incidents to the respective Headmistresses office and the Schools’ Counsellor.

• The incidents will be recorded by the relevant staff,

• The matter will be investigated

• Prompt action will be taken by the school to put an end to such cases.

• In extreme cases parents will be summoned for a meeting with the Principal to discuss the matter.

• Steps will be taken to support the offender to transform his/her behaviour.

 

Action taken to rectify the issue

• Investigate the matter by talking to the offender/s and witness/es.

• The offender will be given an opportunity to speak out about his/her experience with the Headmistress and the Student Counsellor.

• Parents/Guardian will be notified.

• The offender will be given continued support, if needed.

• Efforts will be made to reconcile the matter by warning the offender/s, getting him/her to apologise and sign an undertaking that he/she will not repeat this kind of offense.

• Serious cases may lead to suspension or expulsion (as the case may be)

 

Disciplinary Action taken

 

First step

Written warning will be given to stop the offense (defamation of character / physical abuse), simultaneously informing the offenders parents/guardian

 

Second step

If the offense persists the relevant student will be suspended

 

Third step

Despite suspension, if the student continues the offense, this will lead to expulsion.