What is bullying?
What is bullying?
Bullying affects lots of young people and can happen anywhere and is defined as repeated behaviour which is intended to hurt someone either emotionally or physically, and is often aimed at certain people because of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation or any other aspect such as appearance or disability.
Bullying can take many forms including:
Physical assault
Teasing
Threatening Behaviour
Name Calling
Cyber/online bullying - Posting insulting messages on social media
Making things up to get you into trouble
Hitting, pinching, biting, pushing and shoving
Taking things away from you
Damaging your belongings
Stealing your money
Taking your friends away from you
Making fun because you are doing well in lessons
How to deal with bullying at school
If you feel you are being bullied at school, tell a friend, tell one of your teachers, tell your head of year, tell someone at school that you trust and tell your parents. It won't stop unless you do. It can be hard to do this so if you don't feel you can do it in person it might be easier to write a note to your parents explaining how you feel, or perhaps confide in someone outside the immediate family, like a grandparent, aunt, uncle or cousin and ask them to help you tell your parents what's going on.
Your form tutor needs to know what is going on so try to find a time to tell him or her when it won't be noticeable. You could stay behind on the pretext of needing help with some work. If you don't feel you can do that, then speak to someone in the school’s wellbeing team or the school nurse. Don't be tempted to respond to any bullying or hit back because you could get hurt or get into trouble.
At Pontypridd High School we have a clear bullying policy and we do not tolerate any form of bullying.
What other things can I do to help myself?
Body language tells us a lot about other people. Think about the last time you walked into school. How did you feel? Confident and powerful? Or timid and worried? If you're trying not to be noticed and looking at the ground a lot while darting into school it can make you more noticeable. You look defensive and vulnerable. If you step out boldly you send out a quite different message of confidence. You may not be very confident but you'll certainly look it.
Try to stay in safe areas of the school at break and lunchtime where there are plenty of other people. If you are hurt at school, tell a teacher or a member of the pastoral team immediately and ask for it to be written down. Make sure you tell your parents. Do not retaliate!
Bullying is upsetting
Bullying is very upsetting and if you feel you can't cope, tell your parents and go to see your doctor. Many doctors are very sympathetic about the effects of bullying and yours may be able to write a note for the school explaining the effect that bullying is having on your health.
People bully others about perceived differences, including appearance, religion, behaviour, disabilities or illness, family, even how well you are doing at school or how popular you are. It is always best to try and dismiss bullying remarks. If a bully sees that they can upset you then they will keep trying. Many people are the victim of bullying and it is important to remember that no one should be bullied and it is not your fault!