When we see a bullying situation playing out, it can be really hard to know what to do. Bystanders often worry that they may become the target of the behaviour if they stand up to it. This activity will explore some practical strategies for standing up to bullying behaviour in a safe and respectful way.

Year level

7-10

Duration

5 minutes

Type

In class activity

Whole school and year assemblies

SEL Competencies

Self-awareness

Self-management

Relationship skills

Learning intention

Students will be able to explain the importance of seeking help after experiencing bullying.

Key outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • identify a person in their life they can speak to about bullying behaviour

  • explain the importance of talking to someone if they or someone they know has been bullied.

Materials needed

Mapped to

Australian Curriculum Health and Physical Education

  • Analyse and reflect on the influence of values and beliefs on the development of identities (AC9HP8P01)

  • Analyse factors that shape identities and evaluate how individuals influence the identities of others (AC9HP10P01)

Australian Curriculum: General Capabilities

  • Personal and Social Capability:

    • Self-awareness

    • Self-management

  • Ethical Understanding:

    • Understanding ethical concepts and perspectives

NSW PDHPE Syllabus

  • Examines and evaluates strategies to manage current and future challenges (PD4-1)

  • Assesses their own and others’ capacity to reflect on and respond positively to challenges (PD5-1)

Victorian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education

  • Investigate the benefits of relationships and examine their impact on their own and others’ health and wellbeing (VCHPEP127)

  • Evaluate situations and propose appropriate emotional responses and then reflect on possible outcomes of different responses to health and wellbeing (VCHPEP147)

Show details

Activity 1

Instructions

5 minutes

  1. As a group, watch the ReachOut.com video clip 'How talking about bullying can help'.

  2. Ask the students to think about who they feel they could talk to about a bullying problem. Reflect on the following:

    • Who is this person, and why have you chosen them?

    • Who else could a young person talk to if they don’t feel ready to talk to friends or family?

  3. Ask the students to work with a partner and discuss: "Why do you think it is so helpful to talk to someone after you have experienced bullying?"

Debrief

If you are being bullied, it's important that you tell someone you trust, such as a family member or a friend. Don’t worry about being labelled a ‘complainer’ or as ‘weak’. It takes honesty and strength to talk about these things, and having this support makes the situation easier to deal with.

More information for students:

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