Raising respectful men

Raising Respectful Men

Introducing the Protect and Connect Program at BGS

Written by Luise Toma

In the age of social media, the impact on young people is significant.

Social networks can help our youth learn, connect and express themselves, but they are also exposed to negative effects, such as bullying, sleep disruption and poor self-esteem.

In response to a technology driven world and increased social pressures, the Student Wellbeing Team at Brisbane Grammar School set out to develop preventative strategies to protect the boys, promote positive mental health and teach them how to be a good mate.

In 2020, the team — spearheaded by Senior Deputy Headmaster David Carroll and Head of Middle School Rebecca Campbell — started working on the School’s biggest undertaking in promoting social responsibility, and teaching the boys to care for their classmates and peacefully resolving conflict.

These initiatives, known as the Protect and Connect Program, or PAC for short, will officially launch later this year.

PAC covers three topics — Bullying, Respectful Relationships and Healthy Sexuality, and Student Leadership — all of which work in conjunction to create a culture that makes students feel safe, secure, heard, respected and connected. BGS is committed to stamping out racism, bullying and sexual prejudice.

Each topic involves in-depth exploration, research, training and decision-making. It involves audits of current strategies by leading external experts and implementing recommendations for improvement.

The bullying prevention program was rolled out across the School in the second half of 2021. With a student body of 1900 boys — each with individual needs, talents and quirks — monitoring every interaction would be a mammoth task.

“The prevention and management of bullying is a shared responsibility and provides greater opportunity to be proactive rather than reactive.”

“You have to create pathways for students to report incidents of bullying without actually making the situation worse for them.”

The Student Wellbeing Team has decided that taking a holistic and proactive approach — instead of waiting for instances of bullying to occur and responding with consequences — is the best way to curb bullying.

So, what does PAC entail? By shaping a school culture that normalises respect, care and empathy for classmates, there simply would be no room for potential bullying in lessons, cocurricular activities and beyond the BGS gates.

BGS has established systems that allow students to report bad conduct anonymously, and offers support and guidance to all parties involved, including the perpetrators.

“You have to create pathways for students to report incidents of bullying without actually making the situation worse for them,” Mr Carroll said.

“In the past, students have sometimes been reluctant to come forward because they were afraid of being labelled a ‘dobber’.

“When students lash out, it is often a sign they require additional support.

“If they are given this support, in addition to consequences befitting their transgressions, they are much less likely to repeat these negative behaviours.”

One of the biggest challenges when implementing a strict antibullying policy is to incorporate it into the school culture in a positive way. Far from ruling with an iron fist, BGS staff combat bullying by actively encouraging positive behaviours and creating an atmosphere of mutual trust.

A bullying audit finalised in February 2021 showed a number of students noted the role of trust between students and teachers. One student said: “Teachers are the number one support”.

Genuine connections between staff and students are at the heart of the bullying prevention strategy. BGS teachers truly know and care for their students. The Heads of Years share the journey with their cohort from the beginning of Year 7 until graduation, meaning they understand what makes each child tick and get to know their idiosyncrasies.

Teachers notice subtle signs of a student having a tough time, Mr Carroll said, and are aware when casual banter crosses the line.

If students feel understood and valued, they are more likely to reach out for help, he added.

Professional development workshops for teachers are part of the anti-bullying strategy. Teachers creatively incorporate anti-bullying ideals into their classroom lessons. For example, a History lesson can be used to highlight how cultural behaviours have evolved over time.

“The prevention and management of bullying is a shared responsibility and provides greater opportunity to be proactive, rather than reactive,” Ms Campbell explained.

“Our teachers understand the importance of building a positive and supportive classroom culture, and are equipped to identify students who might experience bullying behaviour.

“Constantly reinforcing these principles and encouraging frank discussion go a long way when it comes to creating a culturally safe school,” Mr Carroll added.

The other two topics in the PAC program will be rolled out later this year; however, work has long been underway to support the boys in becoming men who value integrity and kindess.

“Elements of PAC permeate every part of our students’ lives at school, including weekly lessons on wellbeing.

“These lessons are sequenced to ensure all content is ageappropriate.

“For example, the lower year levels may focus on bullying, as research shows this age group is at higher risk of experiencing bullying behaviours.”