Zero Tolerance for Bullying

Kindness is our culture — bullying is not welcome at ASAD.

Our Unwavering Commitment

At the Australian School of Abu Dhabi (ASAD), we are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive school environment where every member of our community is treated with dignity and respect. In alignment with our mission to embrace diversity, promote understanding, and provide a global perspective, we strive to ensure that all students can learn and grow free from fear or discrimination.

ASAD maintains a strict and unwavering zero-tolerance policy toward bullying in all its forms. We reject any behaviour—physical, verbal, social, or online—that causes fear, intimidation, humiliation, or harassment. Bullying is fundamentally incompatible with the values we uphold and the nurturing learning environment we are committed to providing. Our policy reflects our dedication to protecting every child, in full compliance with ADEK regulations and UAE Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 Concerning Child Rights (Wadeema Law).

“Bullying is fundamentally incompatible with the values we uphold and the learning environment we seek to provide. We are committed to building a culture of positive behaviour, respect, and inclusion.”

Understanding Bullying: Forms and Definitions

To effectively combat bullying, it is crucial that our entire community understands what constitutes bullying and its various manifestations. Bullying is defined as repeated physical, social, or verbal aggression exercised by students who feel they are in a position of power against other students who are perceived weaker or powerless, in a way that hurts the student physically and/or emotionally.

What is Bullying?

Beyond a single incident, bullying involves a repeated pattern of harmful behaviour, whether by individuals or groups, causing physical or emotional distress. It is an abuse of power.

Cyberbullying

This form of bullying takes place through digital technologies (SMS, apps, social media, gaming sites). It includes sending threatening messages, posting humiliating content, social exclusion via technology, or impersonation to cause harm. Cyberbullying is a serious offense and may constitute a criminal act under UAE law.

Common Forms of Bullying

Physical Bullying: Hitting, pushing, shoving, intimidating, or damaging/stealing belongings.
Verbal Abuse: Threatening, name-calling, teasing, spreading rumours, criticism, and put-downs.
Gestural Abuse: Use of offensive, threatening, or insulting body language or hand gestures.
Direct Bullying: Overt, obvious behaviour directly aimed at the victim (e.g., physical violence, verbal taunts, racist comments).
Exclusion Bullying: Deliberately excluding or refusing to interact with others.
Extortion Bullying: Obtaining favors or possessions through verbal or physical threats.
Indirect or Covert Bullying: Subtle, harder-to-identify behaviours like social exclusion, manipulating friendships, or spreading rumors.
Psychological Bullying: Words or actions used to cause psychological harm, including hiding possessions or misuse of technology.
Social Bullying: Deliberately excluding someone, spreading rumors, sharing harmful information, or damaging social reputation.
Sexual Bullying or Harassment: Any unwelcome verbal or physical behaviour of a sexual nature.

Our Policy in Action: Prevention, Reporting & Response

ASAD’s anti-bullying policy is a dynamic framework encompassing proactive strategies and robust response mechanisms, ensuring every student’s safety and well-being.

Prevention Strategies

We foster a whole-school culture of respect and tolerance, integrating bullying prevention into the curriculum, and empowering students. Active supervision in all settings and ongoing staff training reinforce our commitment. We believe in proactive education and visible messaging to deter bullying before it starts.

Reporting Bullying

Timely and accurate reporting is critical. Students, parents, and staff are encouraged to report incidents promptly through multiple confidential channels, including teachers, the School Social Worker, or Leadership Team members. All reports are taken seriously, and retaliation is strictly prohibited.

Investigation & Response

All reports trigger a thorough, fair, and timely investigation process. This involves initial fact-finding, comprehensive interviews with all parties, and prompt parental involvement. Our responses are tailored to the severity of the incident, prioritizing victim support while guiding perpetrators toward positive behavioral change through education and, if necessary, disciplinary measures.

Roles & Responsibilities

Preventing and addressing bullying is a shared responsibility. The Principal, Head of Student Management and Wellbeing, Child Protection Coordinator, Social Worker, Nurse, all staff, volunteers, parents, and students each play a crucial role in upholding this policy, ensuring a consistent and proactive approach to student safety and well-being.

Cyberbullying Awareness

Digital conduct matters. ASAD actively educates students on responsible technology use and the risks of cyberbullying. This includes online threats, identity misuse, and social exclusion. We enforce strict policies aligned with UAE law, engage parents, and respond swiftly to protect students in the digital space.

Restorative Support & Consequences

Our approach is both compassionate and firm. Victims receive emotional support and follow-up care, while those who bully are guided through empathy-building and behavior correction. When needed, disciplinary actions—including suspension or termination—are enforced to protect community well-being and encourage accountability.

Recognizing the Signs: Possible Indicators

Bullying can be subtle. We encourage all members of our community to be vigilant for possible indicators that a student might be experiencing bullying. Early intervention is vital for student well-being.

Behavioral & Emotional Changes

Refusal or unwillingness to attend school.
Withdrawal from friends or activities.
Loss of confidence, sudden shyness.
Unexplained mood swings, anxiety, or depression.
Becoming unusually aggressive or irritable.

Physical & Health Indicators

Changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
Frequent headaches, stomach aches, stress-related symptoms.
Unexplained cuts, bruises, scratches, or injuries.
Damaged or missing clothing/belongings.
Frequent visits to the clinic.

Academic & Social Changes

Decline in academic performance or interest.
Truancy or avoidance of school activities.
Exclusion from peer groups, seen alone.
Fear of using devices or secrecy around social media.
Loss of friendships or reports of isolation.

Parents and carers play a critical role in early identification. Please notify the school immediately if you suspect your child is being bullied or is displaying concerning changes.

Our Pledge: A Safe Community for Every Child

The Australian School of Abu Dhabi is deeply committed to upholding a safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment for all. Our comprehensive Anti-Bullying Policy is a testament to this pledge, ensuring that every student feels valued, respected, and protected. We believe that by working together—students, staff, and parents—we can maintain a school culture where positive behaviour, empathy, and mutual respect thrive.

We regularly review our policy to align with the latest ADEK Student Protection Policy and UAE Ministry of Education regulations, ensuring our procedures are robust and effective. Your child’s safety and well-being are our highest priority.

Download Full Anti-Bullying Policy (PDF)