Anti-Bullying Policy

St Mary's College's definition of bullying and cyberbullying, how students and parents can report it, the timeframes we work to, and how we support everyone involved.

Updated 18 August 2026

Every student has the right to feel safe, valued and included. Bullying in any form is contrary to our Gospel values and is never acceptable. This policy explains what bullying is, how to report it, and what the College will do.

Purpose

To provide a clear, consistent and supportive approach to preventing and responding to bullying, including cyberbullying, consistent with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) guidance.

Scope

Applies to all students from Prep to Year 12, at school, travelling to and from school, at College activities and online where the behaviour affects members of the College community. It also guides how staff and parents respond.

Policy statement

Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can happen in person or online (cyberbullying), and may be obvious or hidden.

Bullying is not a one-off disagreement, a single act of unkindness, or mutual conflict between equals — although these still matter and are addressed under the Behaviour & Restorative Practices Policy.

The College will:

teach students to recognise bullying and how to be an "upstander";
respond to every report promptly, fairly and confidentially;
support the student who has been targeted, the student who bullied, and bystanders;
work in partnership with families.

Procedures

How to report

Students and parents can report bullying in any of these ways:

tell a classroom or Homeroom teacher;
tell the Year Level Coordinator;
speak with a school counsellor — Ms Alana Ford (Junior) or Mr Chris Nguyen (Senior);
complete the confidential "Speak Up" form on the Learning Hub (students can submit anonymously);
parents may phone (03) 9555 0100 or email office@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au.

Please save evidence of cyberbullying (screenshots with dates and usernames) but do not respond to or share the material.

What happens next

Step	Timeframe	Who
Report acknowledged and the reporting student/parent contacted	Within 1 school day	Year Level Coordinator
Students involved interviewed separately; witnesses spoken to; Learning Hub records checked	Within 5 school days	Year Level Coordinator (with counsellor as needed)
Outcome and safety plan communicated to parents of all students directly involved	On completion of investigation	Year Level Coordinator
Follow-up check-ins with the targeted student	1 week, 3 weeks and end of term	Homeroom/classroom teacher and counsellor

Responses

Responses are proportionate and may include restorative conversations or conferences, a Safety Plan for the targeted student (for example, adjusted seating, yard check-ins, a nominated safe adult), consequences under the Behaviour & Restorative Practices Policy including suspension for serious or repeated bullying, and counselling support for all students involved.

Cyberbullying

Online bullying involving College students is addressed by the College even when it occurs outside school hours.
Staff follow the ICT Acceptable Use Policy and may require students to show or remove content.
Serious or persistent online abuse may be reported to the eSafety Commissioner (esafety.gov.au), which can require platforms to remove harmful material. Threats, image-based abuse or sexual content are reported to Victoria Police and handled under the Child Safety Policy.

Prevention

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (March) and R U OK? Day (Monday 7 September 2026).
Explicit Wellbeing lessons on respectful relationships, empathy and online safety at every year level.
Annual student wellbeing survey; Peer Support (Year 10 with Year 7) and Buddy Program (Year 6 with Prep).

Responsibilities

Parents and carers

Listen calmly, reassure your child and report to the College rather than approaching other families directly.
Support any Safety Plan or restorative process and keep an eye on your child's online activity.

Students

Treat others with respect online and in person; be an upstander — do not join in or share.
Report bullying you experience or see, using the Speak Up form if you prefer.

Staff

Take every report seriously, act within the timeframes above and record all actions on the Learning Hub.
Supervise actively in the yard and online learning spaces and teach the prevention curriculum.

Review

Policy owner: Deputy Principal – Wellbeing & Mission. Approved by the College Leadership Team March 2026; ratified by the College Advisory Council; next review March 2028.

Frequently asked questions

My child told me about bullying but does not want me to "make a fuss". What should I do?

Please still let us know. Reassure your child that reports are handled discreetly and that the Year Level Coordinator will talk with them first about how they would like to proceed. Early, quiet intervention almost always works better than waiting.

How quickly will the school act?

You will hear from the Year Level Coordinator within 1 school day of a report, and the investigation is normally completed within 5 school days. Urgent safety concerns are acted on immediately.

Will I be told what consequence the other student received?

We will tell you the steps taken to keep your child safe. Privacy law prevents us from sharing specific consequences applied to another student.

The bullying is happening on social media at night. Can the school do anything?

Yes. Where the students involved are members of our community, we respond as we would to bullying at school. We can also help you report to the platform and to the eSafety Commissioner, and we involve Victoria Police where the law requires.