Mr. Damian White:

Mr. Irwin stole my favourite line, but I do not mind repeating that it is important to separate the child from the behaviour. If it is a child on child bullying incident or incidents, it is important at all times to try to make sure it does not happen again, that the victim is okay and that the perpetrator learns from it and so on.

As previously referenced by Mr. Irwin and Ms O'Connor, it is important parents buy into the culture of openness. Much of what was said by previous speakers is reflected in primary schools as well. Children are more aware of their rights now. In our school and, I am sure in every other school, the UN Charter of Rights is displayed for every child to see. As I said, children are more aware of their rights. Whatever applies to the older children applies at primary level also. That culture and openness starts with the principal. The school has to have an open door policy, but a parent must be an approachable adult, must not seek to lay the blame with anybody and must be willing to come to an agreement on how to solve the problem. It is important when bullying or any incident arises that it is addressed early. If a parent comes into my office, I will walk him or her up the corridor towards where the problem lies and we start at it straight away. It is important to stop the dribble before it becomes a flood.