Page 13 - Mini-Module 6

What can

school leaders do?

Once we accept that bullying is a problem that is not easily fixed by

either harsher discipline or positive programs alone, we then accept
that it is a complex issue and requires a multi-faceted approach. Most
importantly, school leaders need to reshape the school’s culture so

that it does not condone nor tolerate bullying in any form.
Student’s learning and behaviour is directly linked to school culture.

"School culture" refers to the social system in a school building,
including goals, identity, customs, norms, and values. School culture is
shaped by mutual agreement on how behaviours are to be interpreted

and valued (or devalued). A great deal of a principal’s energy can be
taken up in developing a positive school culture because culture is
unfortunately not something that can be set by decree from the
principal’s office. In order to work towards developing a culture that

reduces bullying, we suggest that:

● the principal needs to demonstrate strong leadership in
identifying bullying as a key focus for the school community,
where the principal and the school community recognise that
bullying behaviour can be changed and are dedicated to effecting
that change;

● the principal leads the development of a school-wide plan to
prevent bullying.

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