The research involved 4800 students from government and non-government schools.
Dr Linda Vining, former Director of the Centre for Marketing School said that final year students are a school’s finished product.
Students surveyed
The Year 12 students who participated in the research had attended their schools for an average of 5 years. They had experienced a range of teachers and were familiar with the school environment and ethos so they were well-placed to comment on the culture of the school and the perceptions they would take into the community about their school experiences.
When asked if bullying was well handed at their school 84 per cent said that incidences of bullying could have been handled better.
- 81 per cent said that discipline problems in class were not competently handled
- 55 per cent said their school did not provide a range of positive experiences for them
- 73 per cent did not feel a member of a close-knit caring school family
- 67 per cent did not feel that staff knew them and appreciated their best qualities
- 86 per cent said the school had not helped them build self esteem
- 74 per cent said the school had not helped them deal with personal problems
Schools where bullying was well handled
Where students felt that bullying was well handled at their school, respondents described their schools as happy places that felt safe and secure, with a caring atmosphere.
A strong correlation exists between the following 5 factors that indicate bullying is well managed at a school:
- Discipline problems in the classroom are competently managed
- School have programs in place to build student self esteem
- Students are taught to work cooperatively
- Teachers have a positive attitude
- Teachers provide students with good role models
Dr Vining, said where students have a good framework for behaviour they feel more secure and safe at school. They see themselves as a member of a close knit family.
This starts from the wearing of the school uniform to the way students address teachers and each other, the language used in a school and enforced policies such as low tolerance for swearing, harassment and nasty behaviour.
In addition, programs that educate parents about bullying and build resilience in students can safeguard children from negative forces. “A safe secure school environment allows a child to try new things without feeling threatened,” said Dr Vining.
“Schools that give students strategies to control their temper, manage disagreements, work cooperatively and treat others with respect can slowly build a student’s confidence and sense of wellbeing at school.”
Leaving attitudes
Year 12 students undertaking the study were asked to comment on the long-term attitudes they would take from their school.
Where students recorded that bullying was not well handled at their school many declared they would not want to send their own child to the school. Whereas students who felt that bullying was well handled at their school said they would consider sending their own child to the school.
Where students who recorded that bullying was not well handled at their school more than half would not recommend the school to others. Whereas students who felt that bullying was well handled said they would recommend the school to others.
Students who recorded that bullying was not well handled at their school confessed they did not have a sense of pride in their school. Whereas students who felt that bullying was well handled said had a sense of pride in their school.
“As a community we recognise that bullying is a recurring problem that comes in many forms, but the way in which a school handles bullying can ultimately determine client satisfaction and word of mouth recommendation about a school,” said Dr Vining.
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