Reporting Bullying Incidents
We note the Rector's advice from a Parent Council meeting that pupils should
report any bullying problems as soon as possible to staff in the Guidance
Base, Pupil Services, or their Registration teacher.
Parents may wish to know that the School's contact numbers are
- South Street Building, (01334) 659402
- Kilrymont Road Building, (01334) 659401
and email address
madrascollege.enquiries@fife.gov.uk
The Rector advises that the School will not normally call in the police in the
case of a violent incident at School, but would alert the parents of a victim to
an alleged attack. It is then up to the parents to contact the police if
they wish to do so. The phone number for the St Andrews police station is
01334 418900.
School Policy on Bullying
The School produced a new policy in this area in 2009 following wide consulation.
The School comments that "all of us have a responsibility to ensure that
we do not abuse or bully others". It notes that "parents and school staff,
support agencies and other appropriate adults have a duty to respond to the
needs of young people who experience the difficulties that bullying within the
school community causes."
Technology-based bullying
We note also information from a recent conference on "Working together to
refresh our anti-bullying policy". Two members of the Parent Council
attended this meeting, which involved the
Antibullying
network. Amongst many other useful items, this document suggested that
we make sure that we
- "make sure that young people for whom you are responsible know that
sending abusive or threatening messages is against the law".
It is worth us all remembering that some of the things we may say about
another person in a private conversation between two people may be deeply
hurtful if read by that person on a web page.
The document also gave information on useful resources, including:-
- "Chat danger - a
website all about the potential dangers of online services like chat, instant
messaging, email and mobiles
- Stop text bully
- resources on this website include a Top 10 tips poster for young people and
a school resource pack "Putting U in the Picture".
- Childnet
international - plenty of advice and teachers' resources. Look for
the "Prank or Pain" link through their "Know it All" project link.
- Internet Watch Foundation
- support website with information on filtering, protection, and an area
to report illegal content
- Kidsmart - part
of the Childnet stable of websites, dealing with internet safety programmes
for schools, young people, and parents
- Cyberbully - contains
links to useful online documents such as a guide to cyber-bullying
- Yahoo
parents guide to safer surfing
If you feel you are being bullied through your mobile phone, you can seek help
from your phone network provider via the numbers below
- Orange - 07973 100 150 or 150 from an Orange phone
- Vodaphone - 08700 700 11, or 191 from a Vodaphone phone
- O2 - 08705 678 678, or 4445 from an O2 phone
- Virgin Mobile - 0845 6000 070, or 789 from a Virgin mobile
- 3 Network - 08707 330 333, or 333 from a 3 Network phone
- T-mobile - 0845 412 5000
If you are experiencing cyber-bullying through your landline, the numbers below
may be useful
- British Telecom Nuisance Call Adviser - freephone 0800 661 441
- NTL - 0845 454 000
- Telewest - 0845 142 0220"
One of the School's community police officers recommends the following website
on this area
