Prevent

Creating a safe and inclusive school requires proactive strategies to prevent bullying. This section offers resources and guidance to help foster positive learning environments where all children and young people feel supported and respected.

Articles

Explore evidence-based strategies for bullying prevention, including building an inclusive school culture, promoting a sense of belonging and implementing quality interventions.

Preventing school bullying

Resource tags:
Article
Educator
Foundation–Year 2
Years 3–6
Years 7–12

Preventative factors aim to stop bullying before it starts.

Preventative approaches

Resource tags:
Social emotional skills
Article
Educator

Schools can help students create positive connections and develop social and emotional skills, and can provide inclusive environments.

School culture

Resource tags:
Social emotional skills
Article
Educator

A supportive, inclusive school environment, support from peers and family, and strong student social skills and wellbeing help to prevent bullying.

The Australian Student Wellbeing Framework

Resource tags:
Social emotional skills
Article
Educator

The Australian Student Wellbeing Framework is a guide to help Australian schools develop policies and support systems that promote student wellbeing, safety and positive relationships.

Preventing school cyberbullying

Resource tags:
Cyberbullying
Article
Educator
Foundation–Year 2
Years 3–6
Years 7–12

Cyberbullying prevention must address its unique features and broader online safety issues, and offer targeted support for students who are at greater risk

Prevention strategies for families

Resource tags:
Social emotional skills
Article
Supporting a young person
Foundation–Year 2
Years 3–6
Years 7–12

Parents and carers can play an important role in preventing children and young people from bullying others or being bullied.

Preventing cyberbullying at home

Resource tags:
Cyberbullying
Article
Supporting a young person
Foundation–Year 2
Years 3–6
Years 7–12

Parents and carers can strengthen the preventative factors that make cyberbullying less likely.

Teaching about bullying

Resource tags:
Social emotional skills
Article
Educator
Foundation–Year 2
Years 3–6
Years 7–12

Teaching about bullying is more effective when it is an ongoing process.

Discussion guidelines for teachers

Resource tags:
Social emotional skills
Article
Educator
Foundation–Year 2
Years 3–6
Years 7–12

Bullying can be a sensitive issue to discuss in the classroom. Some students may find the topic distressing or disclose personal information.

Identifying quality interventions with STEPS

Resource tags:
Article
Educator
Foundation–Year 2
Years 3–6
Years 7–12

In addition to whole-school approaches to prevent bullying, schools can adopt specific approaches or programs tailored to the needs of their community.

School policies

Resource tags:
Article
Educator
Supporting a young person
Foundation–Year 2
Years 3–6
Years 7–12

School policies play a central role in shaping school culture and how schools prevent and respond to bullying behaviour.

Resources

Explore teaching and learning resources which support bullying prevention.

The Allen Adventure

Resource tags:
Social emotional skills
Video
Resource
Educator
Supporting a young person
Foundation–Year 2
Years 3–6

The Allen Adventure is a story about Allen, a young visitor from another planet, who is new to school and learning how to get on with his Earthling classmates.

Harmony week

Resource tags:
Race
Cultural diversity
Resource
Poster
Website
Educator
Foundation–Year 2
Years 3–6
Years 7–12

Celebrate Harmony Week and teach about the value of cultural diversity.

ReachOut

Resource tags:
Cyberbullying
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Race
Resource
Website
Video
Educator
Secondary student
Primary student
Years 7–12
Years 3–6

Animations from ReachOut show how different people are impacted by and respond to racism, homophobia and bullying.