Bullying

Bulllying is repetitive, targeted, power imbalance behaviour.

It is harmful behaviour/degrading treatment which is:
– Deliberate
– Repeated
– Targeted at a relatively defenseless or less powerful person

Bullying is NOT:
– A Conflict
– An Argument
– A Fight

What to do if you think your child is being bullied at school

If your child is experiencing bullying at Ellesmere College, taking clear, structured steps ensures the issue is handled swiftly and appropriately.

Here is the escalated contact process to follow:

1. First Contact: Whānau Teacher

Your child’s Whānau teacher is your primary point of contact. Because they see your child daily and understand their school context best, they are in the best position to gather initial details, check in on your child’s well-being, and address classroom-level concerns promptly.

2. Next Step: Year Level Kaitiaki

If the bullying continues, feels more serious, or you feel the initial response hasn’t fully resolved the situation, contact your child’s Year Level Kaitiaki. They oversee pastoral care across the entire year group, have access to broader support resources, and can coordinate intervention strategies across multiple classes or social groups.

Year 7 Kaitiaki: Mr Tucker
Year 8 Kaitiaki: Mrs Starck
Year 9 Kaitiaki: Mrs Jenkins
Year 10 Kaitiaki: Mr Morton
Year 11 Kaitiaki: Mrs Ley
Year 12/13 Kaitiaki: Mr Lemon

3. Final Resort: Senior Leadership Team (SLT)

If the issue remains unresolved after working with the Year Level Kaitiaki, or if the situation is particularly severe, reach out to a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Please arrange this contact by emailing or calling the Principal’s PA, who will connect you with the appropriate leader to review the situation at the highest level.

Key tips when getting in touch:

  • Document details: Keep a record of dates, times, specific incidents, and any messages or screenshots if cyberbullying is involved.

  • Encourage your child to notify a staff member of EVERY incident: Every incident that is reported to a member of staff will be carefully recorded in your child’s personal profile.  If your child is uncomfortable speaking to someone at the school, we are more than happy to send an incident form home that you can complete with them together.

If you suspect your child is being bullied or they are demonstrating bully-like behaviour, work through the flowchart below to see what you should do.