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HIS Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy
1. Purpose
The Heritage International School (HIS) is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and respectful online learning environment. This policy aims to prevent bullying in all its forms, ensuring that every student can thrive academically, socially, and spiritually. Rooted in biblical principles, the policy seeks to reflect the love, kindness, and respect that Christ taught, and is aligned with our school motto: "Inspiring Minds, Transforming Lives."
2. Definition of Bullying
Bullying is defined as any intentional, repetitive behaviour by an individual or group that causes harm, distress, or fear to another individual. This includes but is not limited to:
• Physical Bullying: Causing harm to someone's body or property.
• Verbal Bullying: Name-calling, teasing, or verbal threats.
• Social Bullying: Spreading rumours, excluding someone from a group, or causing harm to someone's social reputation.
• Cyberbullying: Bullying through digital platforms, including social media, email, and text messaging.
3. Biblical Foundation
The HIS Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy is grounded in the teachings of the Bible, which encourages us to treat others with love, kindness, and respect:
• Matthew 7:12: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you."
• Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
• Colossians 3:12-14: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another... And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
4. Prevention Strategies
HIS is committed to proactive measures to prevent bullying:
• Education: Regular lessons and discussions on the importance of respect, kindness, and the impact of bullying, integrated into the curriculum.
• Community Building: Foster a sense of belonging and community through group activities, collaborative projects, and spiritual guidance.
• Supervision and Monitoring: Online interactions will be closely monitored by staff to ensure a safe and respectful environment.
5. Reporting Bullying
Students, parents, and staff members are encouraged to report any instances of bullying. HIS provides multiple avenues for reporting:
• Confidential Reporting: Students can report bullying anonymously through a designated online platform.
• Direct Reporting: Reports can be made directly to teachers, counsellors, or school administrators.
6. Intervention Procedures
When bullying is reported or observed, HIS will take immediate action to address the situation:
• Investigation: The reported incident will be thoroughly investigated, including interviews with all parties involved.
• Support for Victims: The school will provide counselling and support to victims of bullying, ensuring their emotional well-being.
• Consequences for Bullying: Appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken against the perpetrator(s), which may include counselling, behavioural contracts, or suspension.
7. Support and Rehabilitation
HIS believes in the potential for personal growth and transformation. Perpetrators of bullying will be offered counselling and support to help them understand the impact of their actions and to encourage positive change, in line with our commitment to "Transforming Lives."
8. Review and Continuous Improvement
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its effectiveness and relevance. Feedback from students, parents, and staff will be considered in the review process.
9. Conclusion
The HIS Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy is a reflection of our commitment to fostering a loving and supportive environment, where every student is inspired to grow and succeed. By upholding biblical values, we aim to create a community that truly embodies our motto: "Inspiring Minds, Transforming Lives."