At Clonard College, we are continuing to build a positive, inclusive and safe learning environment through our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) framework. This term, our whole-school focus is on bullying and cyberbullying education, with an emphasis on Respect, Engagement and Resilience. 

• Across all year levels, students have been explicitly taught how to: 

• Recognise bullying behaviours 

• Understand the difference between bullying and conflict 

• Identify their role as a bystander or upstander 
• Know how and where to seek help 

Students are learning that bullying is repeated behaviour intended to cause harm, often involving a power imbalance, and that it can occur both in person and online. They are also exploring the impact that bullying has on learning, wellbeing and school culture. 

A strong focus of our learning has been supporting students to become ‘upstanders’ — young people who show courage by: 

• Speaking up when something is not respectful 

• Supporting peers who may be targeted 

• Reporting concerns to trusted adults 

Importantly, students are also learning that: 

• Bullying behaviours are not acceptable at Clonard 

• Online behaviour outside of school can still impact student wellbeing and school culture, and will be responded to by the school where required 

Cyberbullying and Online Safety 

As part of this focus, students have explored cyberbullying, including behaviours such as: 

• Sending hurtful messages 

• Sharing embarrassing or private images 

• Spreading rumours online 

• Excluding others from group chats 

• Creating fake accounts or impersonating others 

Students are also explicitly taught that: 

• Forwarding intimate images without consent is illegal 

• Sharing images involving young people can have serious legal consequences 

This learning is not about fear, but about helping students make safe, respectful and informed choices online. 

How Parents Can Support at Home 

Families play an important role in reinforcing these messages. Below are some practical ways to support your child: 

• Start open, regular conversations 

• Ask your young person about their online interactions and friendships 

• Use a calm, curious approach (e.g. “What kind of group chats are popular at the moment?”) 

• Reinforce respectful behaviour 

• Remind your young person: “If it’s not respectful, it’s not acceptable” 

• Discuss the impact of small actions such as liking or sharing hurtful content 

• Encourage help-seeking 

• Regularly check: “Who would you go to if something wasn’t okay?” 

• Reinforce that reporting is about safety, not getting others in trouble 

• Support safe online habits 

• Think before posting or sharing 

• Avoid participating in harmful group chats 

• Block/report inappropriate behaviour 

• Be aware that many platforms are not designed for younger users and are prohibited for under 16s – unfortunately many of the social conflicts we are responding to involve students using social media apps such as Snapchat which they should not have access to 

• Respond calmly if issues arise 

• Listen without judgment 

• Help them record (screenshots) and report concerns 

• Work in partnership with the school to support resolution 

Working in Partnership 

At Clonard, we are committed to ensuring that every student feels safe at all times. We encourage families to continue reinforcing these conversations at home and to reach out to the College if you have any concerns. 

Students are reminded that support is always available through: 

• Trusted teachers and Year Level Leaders 

• School Counsellors and WELCOM team 

• External supports such as Kids Helpline and the eSafety Commissioner 

Together, we can build a culture where all young people feel safe, respected and supported — both at school and online.