BCE is proud to support ‘Bullying No Way Week’, Australia’s leading school-based bullying prevention initiative, returning this week from 11–15 August 2025. This year’s theme ‘Be bold. Be kind. Speak up’ encourages students, families and school communities to take courageous action to prevent bullying and foster safe, inclusive environments.BCE Lead Education Advisor- Student Wellbeing Stephen Muller highlights that building safe and respectful schools isn’t a solo effort, it’s a shared commitment. “It takes courage and collaboration across our communities to call out bullying and build environments where kindness and belonging thrive,” said Stephen. “At BCE, we emphasise respectful relationships as the foundation of positive learning environments where all students feel safe, included and treated with dignity.” Throughout the week, BCE schools will join government, Catholic and independent schools across the country in a united effort to build a shared understanding of bullying behaviours, promote student voice and respectful relationships, and share school-based prevention strategies and policies. “All our BCE schools are supported by dedicated Guidance Counsellors who work collaboratively with school communities to promote student wellbeing, engagement and achievement,” said Stephen. “We want our schools to be places where everyone belongs, where diversity is celebrated and where bullying is never accepted. “We actively seek student voice on their schooling experiences and respond to concerns, and we also help students understand the difference between conflict and bullying and support them and their families to resolve issues with care.” Our Lady of the Assumption, Enoggera Guidance Counsellor Tracey Besley said ‘Bullying No Way Week’ was important for her and her role at the school. "It not only provides an opportunity to educate or re-educate students, staff and families on the topic of bullying, but it also allows for a focus on important values in our community such as kindness, empathy and inclusivity,” she said. “The National Week of Action resources align strongly with our school’s existing programs, and it is also reinforced through aspects of the curriculum such as the ‘Daniel Morcombe Safety Program’, which supports student wellbeing and safety.” Tracey notes that the most common forms of bullying are verbal and, increasingly, cyberbullying and encourages parents to stay alert to potential warning signs. “Some signs of potential bullying that parents may observe at home include resistance to coming to school, withdrawal, fluctuating mood or emotions, changes in eating or sleeping patterns, and avoidance of certain activities with peers.” BCE encourages open conversations between school and parents to ensure we are working together for the benefit of the student. “The wellbeing of students is our top priority, and we actively encourage students to seek appropriate help from trusted adults in the school, including their Guidance Counsellor, class teacher, or member of school leadership,” Stephen said.
While ‘Bullying No Way Week’ is a national week of action, BCE’s commitment to safe and supportive learning environments is ongoing.
Initiatives like the ‘Tell Them From Me’ survey and ‘Student Voice’ campaigns ensure that students are heard and supported year-round.