By Brook Pauley
G7, 9 and 11 Social Counselor
As a counselor, I often hear people use the word bullying. It can be used very loosely, and I think it is important to define it so we all have a clear understanding. Bullying is:
“‘The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online.’
I would like to add some common examples I see of bullying (these have all happened this autumn at BHA):
Purposely leaving someone out of a group and making them feel excluded
Making negative or passive aggressive comments online about someone else (this happens frequently on Instagram & KakaoTalk)
Making negative comments about someone as they pass you in the hallway
Consistently spreading rumors and gossip about someone else
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been meeting with the grade 7 students to discuss bullying and how to combat it. 40% of the grade 7 students reported that they believe bullying happens everyday at BHA.
In response to this, I’ve been working with the students to discuss how to be an upstander when bullying happens. An upstander is “a person who speaks or acts in support of an individual or cause, particularly someone who intervenes on behalf of a person being attacked or bullied.” Oxford Languages
Please encourage your daughters to be an upstander in the face of bullying. Encourage them to speak up for those who are being hurt. Encourage them to be kind with their words and actions and to treat others the way they would like to be treated.
If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s counselor.
Pauline Li, G8, 12 and All Chinese Students
paulineli@branksome.asia
Laura Muir, G6, 10 and All International Students
lauramuir@branksome.asia
Brook Pauley, G7, 9 and 11
brookpauley@branksome.asia