Image by Road Ahead on Unsplash
<h2><span data-contrast="auto">Bullying-Free Week is an annual initiative run by Bullying-Free NZ which culminates in Pink Shirt Day each year. This year, Bullying-Free Week is happening from 13 May – 17 May. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The week-long event aims to raise awareness of bullying at schools and how to prevent and respond to incidents. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Recently, New Zealand has been named as one of the worst nations for bullying in the world. A report published by the Ministry of Education in 2021 found that 36 percent of Year 5s and 38 percent of Year 9s were bullied on a monthly basis. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/latest-print-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read the latest print edition of <em>School News</em> HERE</strong></a> </p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The most common forms of bullying in New Zealand are “being made fun of” and “being excluded on purpose from activities”. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">However, bullying takes many forms and may be physical, verbal or social. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<figure id="attachment_12090" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-12090" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-medium wp-image-12090" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/AdobeStock_164652034-1-300x189.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="189" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-12090" class="wp-caption-text">Bullying victims are likely to be male, disabled, LGBTQIA+, NZ born, low achievers and from a disadvantaged background. Adobestock by Rawpixel.com</figcaption></figure>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Victims of bullying are more likely to be male, disabled, LGBTQIA+ (particularly transgender students), New Zealand born, low achievers and from a disadvantaged background. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Around 27 percent of students reported themselves as engaging in bullying behaviours, around a third of students who bully might have experienced bullying themselves. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Students who experience bullying may become withdrawn, seem anxious and be reluctant to go to school. It is a known contributing factor to nationally poor attendance rates. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Bullying-Free NZ week is therefore an opportunity for schools to review their culture and address bullying prevention and awareness with their communities. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">According to the Bullying-Free NZ website, schools that “encourage respect, value opinions, celebrate difference, and promote positive relationships make it difficult for bullying behaviour to thrive or be tolerated.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Ideas for activities, information on bullying and free resources can be accessed through the </span><a href="https://bullyingfree.nz/" target="_blank"><span data-contrast="none">Bullying-Free NZ</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> and </span><a href="https://pinkshirtday.org.nz/engage/schools" target="_blank"><span data-contrast="none">Pink Shirt Day</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> websites. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Other wellbeing and mental health organisations such as Barnardos Aotearoa are also running campaigns for Bullying-Free week 2024. This year, the 0800 What’s Up counselling helpline will be available for free to 5 to19 year olds, and their parents, teachers and caregivers during Bullying-Free Week from 13 – 17 May. </span></p>

NZEI Te Riu Roa is considering legal action against the government for the disestablishment of…
NZQA is implementing AI-marking for all Year 10 written assessments from this year onwards, following…
Teaching personal financial responsibility isn't enough. Children should be taught broader economic context, argue New…
When students can't hear the teacher, they can't learn properly. Sound quality matters in education…
The Garden City is rich with learning opportunities, no matter what subject or part of…
Teaching Council of Aotearoa launch school leaders’ stories project with Unteach Racism to challenge institutional…
This website uses cookies.
