Carinity school takes stance on cyber-bullying

Ahead of the implementation of new cyber-bullying counter-measures by the State Government, Carinity Education Southside is having major success countering the negative use of technology by students.

Principal Leann Faint says the school has taken a “a non-negotiable stance on threats and bullying.”

“Here at Southside, if we see evidence of threats or bullying on a device or we learn of ongoing fights or bullying outside of school, those students are put on time-out until they are ready to be safe again,” Leann says.

“We have found this to be extremely effective, as our girls want to be back at school. Since bringing in this ‘line in the sand’ and implementing our new phone policy, bullying and threats have decreased dramatically.”

While on campus, Carinity Education Southside students must have their mobile phones and devices turned off or put away or teachers or staff will confiscate them.

“We were dealing with issues daily, but now rarely. Our girls are happy at school because they know it is a safe place, and we act protectively,” Leann says.

The Queensland Anti-Bullying Task Force made 29 recommendations to help prevent and deter cyber-bullying attacks, which have been accepted by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Amongst the recommendations of the task force headed by Madonna King are policies relating to handling of cyber-bullying complaints in the classroom and schoolyard.

Leanne agrees that these anti-bullying initiatives need to be rolled out in all Queensland schools.

“Having just come from the public education sector, I know that schools often will not deal with any bullying on social media, or outside of school. Schools tell families to go to police. If it doesn’t happen in school, it doesn’t get dealt with,” Leann says.

Carinity Education Southside is one of four schools run by Carinity.