Day 5 Educational Responses and Empowerment 

On the final day of the course, we worked on a practical case involving a situation of bullying through WhatsApp. In the scenario, a child had been excluded from a group chat, and another classmate reported the situation. As a group, we created a mind map identifying all the parties involved and discussed how these roles might vary depending on the legal frameworks in different countries.

From there, we outlined a structured response protocol: first, reporting the incident to the head of studies or the school’s guidance team; then investigating the case thoroughly, ensuring the victim's safety, holding individual and group meetings with those involved, and providing ongoing emotional support.

A key part of the session focused on the value of restorative practices as educational tools prior to, or instead of, punitive measures. One proposed strategy was to have the aggressor write a letter of apology as a reflective alternative to a verbal apology. Other suggested actions included facilitating a classroom reintegration meeting to welcome the victim back into a safe and supported environment. The teacher’s role in this process was seen as essential—providing emotional containment and setting clear expectations for respectful behaviour.

We also emphasised the importance of addressing such issues early and holistically, considering not only the consequences but also the underlying causes of the behaviour.

To close the session—and the course—each participant shared a powerful teaching experience that had a meaningful impact on their students or themselves. In small groups, colleagues chose differents AtMyBest Strength Cards that reflected the personal strengths shown in each story, fostering a supportive and appreciative atmosphere. As a final gesture, everyone wrote a positive message on the back of a fellow participant, which was read aloud just before receiving our course completion certificates in a warm and celebratory environment.