School resources are to be developed to improve awareness of bullying in and out of schools following the inaugural meeting of an Antibullying Roundtable.
Announced by Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell, the Roundtable brought together representatives and experts from across Government, NSW school sectors, youth mental health organisations, social media organisations, and the community.
Ms Mitchell said teachers, parent and carers, and student representatives were also in attendance to work out agreed actions to combat the bullying of children and young people in NSW.
“Bullying can impact any child and young person: from those who are bullied, those who bully others, and those who witness bullying,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The level of distress caused by bullying to students, their families and schools is significant.”
She said finding solutions to bullying were not simple.
Ms Michell said the Roundtable discussion explored strategies to strengthen responses to the bullying of children and young people.
“Bullying prevention and anti-bullying approaches that show the most promise confront the problem from many angles and involve the entire school community to create a culture of respect, acceptance, and inclusion,” the Minister said.
“Our schools are aware of the real and potentially harmful effects of bullying, including online bullying (cyberbullying) on children and young people and take reports of bullying very seriously,” she said.
“Following the Roundtable, school resources will be developed for staff, parents, carers and students to improve awareness of bullying in and out of schools offline and online.”
Information on bullying for parents and carers can be accessed on the Department of Education’s website at this PS News link.
