Bullying Prevention and Intervention

Defining Bullying

Bullying means aggressive and typically repeated behaviour by a pupil where the behaviour is intended by the pupil to have the effect of, or the pupil ought to know that the behaviour would be likely to have the effect of causing harm, fear or distress to another individual, including physical, psychological, social or academic harm, harm to the individual’s reputation or harm to the individual’s property, or creating a negative environment at a school for another individual. Additionally the behaviour occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance between the pupil and the individual based on factors such as size, strength, age, intelligence, peer group power, economic status, social status, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, family circumstances, gender, gender identify, gender expression, race, disability or the receipt of special education; (“intimidation”)

 For the purposes of the definition of “bullying” , bullying includes the use of any physical, verbal, electronic, written or other means.

Reporting Bullying

Procedures are in place that allow students and parents to report bullying incidents as well as procedures that outline the requirements for staff to report bullying in accordance with the regulation.

  • Bullying reports may be made directly to the teacher, principal or vice-principal

  • Reports may be made anonymously through the school website and/or through the bullying hotline; these are received by the principal or designate.

Interventions and Support

Support for the person who has been harmed, the person(s) who has caused harm and the person who has witnessed harm may include:

  • Program modifications or accommodations

  • Positive encouragement and reinforcement

  • Individual or peer counselling through school social worker/site clinician

  • Mediation through Safe Schools team and/or designate

  • Conflict resolution/dispute resolution

  • Restorative justice and repair practices

  • Mentorship programs

  • Promotion of healthy student relationships

  • Safety and/or support plans

  • School, board and community support programs

  • Student success strategies

When responding to unacceptable behaviour such as bullying, each person is considered as an individual and consequences for unacceptable behaviour are carefully considered. Consequences may include, but are not limited to: 

  • Conversation with the student;

  • Review of expectations;

  • Assignment;

  • Alternative recess;

  • Social skills group;

  • Mentoring;

  • Meeting with the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s), student and principal;

  • Referral to a community agency for anger management, or substance abuse, counseling or intervention;

  • Detentions;

  • Withdrawal of privileges;

  • Suspension

  • Expulsion

  • Safe schools transfer.

Reference Links