School using WITS to stop bullying
A South Auckland school is encouraging students to stand up to bullying by using their WITS.
WITS stands for Walk away, Ignore, Tell an adult or teacher, or tell the person to Stop.
Mangere East Primary School celebrated its anti-bullying campaign with a Pink Shirt Day last month.
‘‘We strive to eradicate all forms of bullying – physical, verbal, social and cyber,’’ Michele Hillman, assistant principal of Mangere East Primary School says.
Hillman says the campaign will help encourage a shared responsibility amongst students, teachers, parents and the wider community to develop a school climate that discourages bullying and encourages students to care about each other.
‘‘It will encourage our students to speak up, stand together, to stop bullying,’’ she says.
‘‘On average, our bullying complaints include name-calling, teasing, spreading rumours, gossiping and withholding friendships.‘‘
The school has employed the use of a memorable acronym, WITS as a way of helping students remember what to do when they experience bullying.
Students engage in Peace Circles, every day, after playtime.
‘‘The goal is to equip students with strategies to better manage themselves, in conflict situations,’’ Hillman says.