Bully Stoppers Case Study Mornington Park Primary School

Mornington Park

The Mornington Park Primary School ‘Respect Ambassador’ programis a violence prevention program that teaches young people how to behave respectfully and compassionately.

Tell us about Mornington Park Primary School

Mornington Park Primary School is a National Partnerships School located on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The current enrolment is 160 students. The school consists of a Mainstream and Steiner stream.

We believe that optimum development depends on self-confidence and self-esteem, cooperation and consideration for others.

We are committed to creating positive classroom climates, in which students are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for their own learning as they progress throughout the school, and in which risk-taking is encouraged in the pursuit of personal excellence.

What is the ‘Respect Ambassador’ program?

The Respect Ambassador Program (RAP) is a five week bystander activation program building on materials and tools provided by the Department of Education and Early Child Development’s (DEECD’s) “Bully Stoppers: Make a stand, Lend a hand” initiative.

RAP is designed as a violence prevention program that teaches young people how to behave respectfully and compassionately. The skills, language and bystander training are aimed at modifying current primary school behaviour and, by extension, the behaviour of these individuals as they mature into adults.

What are the aims of RAP?

The aims of Rethink are to:

•Link current school policies and curriculum to action within the school.

•Prevent future victimisation through developing student, school, and parental knowledge of bullying behaviours and appropriate bystander interventions.

•Educate students on types of bullying and victimisation.

•Develop students’ understanding of the relationship between the victim, bystander and bully.

•Enhance student and staff vocabulary in relation to bullying and victimisation.

•Consolidate and embed the learning from the “Make a stand, Lend a hand” interactive learning modules.

•Actively involve teachers in facilitating the training by pairing them with a RAP facilitator in each session.

•Address each component of the “I know someone who’s been bullied” worksheet through scenario based role-play activities.

•Engage parents and community members through student performances.

•Enhance student involvement and program sustainability through peer training models.

•Utilise ICT – using tablets as a recording device, Internet browsing (e.g. to access YouTube and our school website), and other multimedia tools.

How does RAP work?

The RAP program was delivered by NIRODAH and Mornington Park staff to students from Years 4, 5 and 6, on Thursday mornings over a 5 week period. The program culminated in a Family Information Night when students showcased their work, performed role plays, read poetry they had written on bullying and signed a Bully Stoppers Pledge.

Has the program been a success?

The students have a greater understanding of the language associated with bullying and violence. Students have become more aware of how their behaviour impacts upon the school community and culture, and as a result there has been a decrease in the number of reported bullying incidences.

Students are more confident in supporting each other and positively stepping up to counteract bullying scenarios. The students are confident to report unfriendly behaviour and are fully aware of the difference between “dobbing” (to get someone else into trouble) and telling (to get some help for either theirself or someone else).

The students had fun participating in the program whilst learning some valuable life skills. Parents, family members and friends who attended the Family Night appreciated the opportunity to witness what the children had achieved and how they had gained a greater awareness of the impact of their behavior on others. They eagerly signed the Bully Stoppers pledge.

What is the future of RAP?

Social and emotional learning is recognised as critical in promoting a safe learning environment that is paramount to the health and wellbeing of the school community. Additional training will be offered to students to enable them to become Respect Ambassadors in the school playground. They will develop the skills to respond to minor conflicts amongst younger students. They will model a respectful and caring environment and take a stand against bullying and lend a hand.

What were the costs of implementing the program?

This program cost $5000 provided by the Bully Stoppers grant.

Contact

Valerie Coles Social Worker(03) 5975 4011