Professional development
School staff play an important role in preventing and intervening in bullying, modelling respectful relationships and developing a positive school climate.
Specific and regular training about bullying is a significant factor in teachers' ability to effectively respond to bullying. Research has consistently identified that the provision of local professional development and training in responding to bullying for teachers is a key component of an effective whole-school approach to preventing bullying.
A whole-school approach to professional learning means that opportunities are provided to everyone in the school community to promote awareness and implement evidence-informed interventions to prevent and respond to bullying.
Students have told researchers that if they perceive that their teachers do not know how to effectively intervene, this prevents them from seeking help.
Students are more likely to report bullying at school if they think:
- the teacher knows what to do
- the teacher will respond sensitively and effectively
- they will be treated with respect and provided support
- the teacher won't make things worse.
Because teachers and other staff are often the first responders to bullying incidents, they should be prepared with knowledge and strategies to appropriately respond.
Building respectful and supporting classrooms
School staff play an important role in supporting students' sense of belonging. Prioritising high-quality and respectful teacher-student relationships leads to the creation of supportive and caring classrooms—where everyone is respected and treated fairly. When teachers create a positive learning environment, it helps students feel like they belong and reduces the occurrence of negative behaviours such as bullying.
Belonging at school
Dr Kelly-Ann Allen from Monash University, explores belonging at school—its benefits and linkages to preventing bullying, as well as some ideas about what teachers and schools can do to support students.
Fostering inclusive schools to prevent bullying
Expert panel members delve into the vital role of belonging in preventing bullying in schools. A student, teacher and researcher share their insights and perspective on what it truly means to belong and how we can create inclusive schools.
Evidence of bullying among youth
Dr Hannah Thomas from The University of Queensland discusses the prevalence of bullying among Australian youth, consequences and outcomes of bullying, and prevention and intervention strategies. This series was developed and published by Bullying No Way in October 2021.
Watch the video series plus a question and answer (Q&A) session
A world without bullying
Professor Donna Cross from the Telethon Kids Institute explores the research about bullying prevention and discusses practical ways schools can engage with students in building safe and supportive environments. This series was developed and published by Bullying No Way in June 2018.