Bullying No Way
Bullying No Way Week will return this year from 11–15 August 2025. The national week of action unites government, Catholic and independent schools and their communities across the country to foster practical approaches to prevent bullying in Australian schools.
The theme for 2025 is 'Be bold. Be kind. Speak up.'
Bullying is everyone's responsibility. It takes a community to be brave and address bullying behaviours, within and beyond the school gate. Students can be bold, kind and take a stand to support others being bullied, while parents and teachers are there to support children and young people learn how to behave in a positive way.
For Families
Understanding the definition of bullying is the first step in talking about how to prevent and respond to bullying with your child. 'Bullying' is a word that is used for behaviours that are not actually bullying. These other behaviours can be just as serious but may require different responses.
If your child reports that bullying is occurring at school, or the bullying is occurring outside school hours and involves students from the school, you should let the school know about the situation.
Schools will work with you to resolve the situation and will also work with the other student's parents. Due to privacy laws, they will not be able to share information about any other students involved.
Tips for contacting the school
Remain calm and focus on being constructive (even if you feel upset).
Prepare by:
- checking your school website for any information regarding their policy or procedures for managing bullying
- making a time to talk with your child's teacher, school counsellor or guidance officer
- writing notes (and any other records) based on what your child has told you so you can be as clear as possible about what happened.
Tips for working with school staff
Continue to be calm and constructive. In the first instance contact your child's teacher if possible.
During meetings with staff:
- refer to your written notes to be as clear as possible about what happened and write notes of the discussions with your child's teacher or other staff
- ask what steps will be taken and if a plan is to be developed with home and school strategies
- recognise that investigating the situation at school will require time
- keep a written record of when you contacted the school, who you have spoken with, and any agreements that were made
- stay in touch with the teacher and let them know if problems continue or something new happens.
If you are unable to achieve a satisfactory solution with the class teacher or counsellor, make an appointment to meet with the Assistant Principal or the Principal.
For more information about the definition of bullying, harrassment, discrimination and violence, signs of bullying and types of bullying, please see the Bullying No Way factsheets.