Brackenhurst Primary sets strategies in place to address bullying

Brackenhurst Primary School has assured that it has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, with its staff being approachable to offer help and guidance.

Like many other schools, bullying is part of the curriculum for life orientation to promote personal and social wellbeing.

Melody Pheiffer, a teacher at the school, said: “We look at the reasons for bullying, what to do if you’re being bullied and what to do if you are a bully. It also focuses on how a bully can stop and how to use positive peer pressure to get bullies to leave their victims in peace.”

She said the school also has an electronic forum called The No Bullying Zone.

There, children can answer set questions on the platform and then the IT Department gives it to the relevant registered teacher to follow up on.

“We also have our discipline system with merits and demerits, which we will apply to the severity of the situation. If there is a level three violation, the school governing body will meet with the child and parents. We also have a school psychologist who provides counselling for those children who need it,” said Pheiffer.

On the school’s SGB, they also have Sergeant Lindi Moloi of Brackendowns SAPS who can offer advice.

“Moloi gives input on all level three and four violations, not just those regarding bullying.”