Havergal College Course Calendar, 2019-20 Academic Year

5. Bullying Prevention and Intervention The Accepting Schools Act, known as Bill 13, requires all schools to prevent and address inappropriate and disrespectful behaviour among students in our schools. These behaviours include bullying, discrimination and harassment. The law promotes respect and understanding for all students regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or any other factor. Bill 13, Accepting Schools Act (2012) begins with a preamble. It says: • believe that education plays a critical role in preparing young people to grow up as productive, contributing and constructive citizens in the diverse society of Ontario; • believe that all students should feel safe at school and deserve a positive school climate that is inclusive and accepting, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability; • believe that a healthy, safe and inclusive learning environment where all students feel accepted is a necessary condition for student success; • understand that students cannot be expected to reach their full potential in an environment where they feel insecure or intimidated; • believe that students need to be equipped with the knowledge, skills, attitude and values to engage the world and others critically, which means developing a critical consciousness that allows them to take action on making their schools and communities more equitable and inclusive for all people, including LGBTTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two- spirited, intersex, queer and questioning) people; • recognize that a whole-school approach is required, and that everyone—government, educators, school staff, parents, students and the wider community—has a role to play in creating a positive school climate and preventing inappropriate behaviour, such as bullying, sexual assault, gender-based violence and incidents based on homophobia, transphobia or biphobia; • acknowledge that an open and ongoing dialogue among the principal, school staff, parents and students is an important component in creating a positive school climate in which everyone feels safe and respected; and • acknowledge that there is a need for stronger action to create a safe and inclusive environment in all schools, and to support all students, including both students who are impacted by and students who have engaged in inappropriate behavior, to assist them in developing healthy relationships, making good choices, continuing their learning and achieving success.” “The people of Ontario and the Legislative Assembly:

individual based on factors such as size, strength, age, intelligence, peer group power, economic status, social status, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, family circumstances, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, disability or the receipt of special education; iii. For the purposes of the definition of “bullying” behaviour includes the use of any physical, verbal, electronic, written or other means; or iv. For the purposes of the definition of “bullying” behavior includes bullying by electronic means (commonly known as cyber-bullying), including: (a) creating a web page or a blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person; (b) impersonating another person as the author of content or messages posted on the internet; or (c) communicating material electronically to more than one individual or posting material on a website that may be accessed by one or more individuals. Havergal College, through active and passive supervision, strives to create a learning environment (on and off campus) that inhibits bullying behaviours. Education in both Junior School and Upper School in classes, Form or Teacher Advisor groups develops in students an understanding of bullying, the various forms it may take, the roles individuals may play in bullying behaviour, how to identify, address and prevent bullying behaviour, and the people to seek out to discuss or report incidences of bullying in our community. We depend on all members of the community (students, faculty, staff and parents) to bring to the attention of administrators and/ or Guidance Counsellors incidences of bullying affecting a member or members in our community. Through the process of progressive discipline, the school will take action to address the behaviour of the bully while providing support for the victim. Repeated incidences may result in suspension or expulsion. 6. Failure to Comply with the Havergal College Code of Conduct All members of the Havergal community are responsible for observing both the letter and the spirit of the Havergal College Code of Conduct. Havergal reserves its right to apply a full range of sanctions to any offence committed by a student. In determining whether an offence has been committed and what sanction(s) should be applied, Havergal College will employ procedures that: ii. ensure that a student, and her parents as required, are aware of the complaint against the student; iii. ensure that a student, and her parents as required, have the opportunity to present fully and fairly their version of events and explanation and to have these taken into account by the decision-maker; iv. ensure that the decisions will be made in a fair and impartial way; and v. document completely and accurately all aspects of the process and decision. i. reflect the severity of the offence alleged;

Bill 13 defines bullying as the aggressive and typically repeated behaviour by a pupil where:

i. the behaviour is intended by the pupil to have the effect of, or the pupil ought to know that the behaviour would be likely to have the effect of: (a) causing harm, fear or distress to another individual,

including physical, psychological, social or academic harm, harm to the individual’s reputation or harm to the individual’s property; or

(b) creating a negative environment at a school for another individual; ii. the behaviour occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance between the pupil and the

12  HAVERGAL COLLEGE | Course Calendar 2019–20