The dignity of the human person is the foundation of all Catholic Social Teaching and inherent to the mission of Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong. Essential to this is the creation and maintenance of a respectful, safe and supportive learning environment that promotes student wellbeing and enables school communities to engage an inclusive and diverse range of learners.

The prevention of and responses to incidents of bullying, inappropriate use of technology and disrespectful behaviour in schools is more readily achieved in a caring and supportive school culture that promotes positive relationships and reflects the ethos of catholic schools. Bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, aggression and violence disregard core values of our faith including dignity, respect, justice, equity, compassion, trust and courage. Importantly, such actions can adversely affect the wellbeing of students and are therefore unacceptable. All members of our school communities are expected to prevent and challenge such actions in order to build respectful relationships that respond effectively and sensitively to the needs of each person.

The National Safe Schools Framework (2011) defines bullying as repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological behaviour that is harmful and involves the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more persons. By contrast, conflict between equals and single incidents are not defined as bullying although, of course, such incidents may require intervention by the school.

  READ OUR PASTORAL CARE AND WELLBEING Policy