Skagerak International School – Opplæringsloven §9a: The Student's Own School Environment

Skagerak International School, has a “zero tolerance” policy towards bullying. At Skagerak, bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behaviour among people that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumours, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

Skagerak International School encourages everyone to be self-confident and caring towards each other, to help others who are not being treated fairly or find people to help. Our curriculum embodies the mission statement for the IBO which states:

‘The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.’

Student Responsibilities

You have the right to:

• Be respected by others and have their property respected
• Be treated and valued as an individual
• Be free from all forms of bullying
• Be part of a safe and productive school environment

You have a responsibility to:

• Be accountable for your own behaviour
• Show respect for others as well as their property
• Show respect for the teaching and learning in the classroom
• Be punctual and prepared for class time, meetings, appointments and deadlines
• Keep the school and its grounds clean and tidy
• Be respectful of the school and its property
• Be a positive ambassador for the school

Specific Staff Responsibilities

All Staff

• Be aware whether students have a positive and safe psychosocial environment
• Intervene in cases of bullying,violence, discrimination or harassment whenever possible
• Report to heads or principal in writing if you suspect or are aware of a student who does not have a positive and safe psychosocial environment

Principals/Deputy Principals/Contact Teachers

• Investigate any situations where students,parents or other relevant partiesreport problems with the psychosocial environment
• Take action in relation to all identified problems

The decision to take action lies with leadership.

Skagerak International School- 9(a) Process

9(A) The Student's Own School Environment

The following procedures are in place to identify and deal with any suspected or reported incidents of a compromised learning environment:

• Staff members report the behaviour to the contact teacher and administration in writing.
• The contact teacher and administration assesses whether the incident reflects a violation of 9(A)
• The principal is informed and meets with the individuals involved.
• They communicate with the people involved using the above strategies in the 9(A) process.
• If warranted, an action plan is activated by the principal documents the incident as described in the Skagerak 9(A) procedures.
• After a set period of time, the concerned parties meet to discuss any issues or concerns that might have arisen following the implemented behaviour plan.