Bullying

Nov 12, 2020

Signs that your child is being bullied or is the bully (in school or online)

Bullying is when someone acts aggressively and out of character towards a peer. The offences are normally repeated and could cause serious harm to the bullied and the bully, if left unresolved. In a school setting, students of all grades can bully or be bullied by fellow students.


Any student can become a target regardless of age, grade, gender, race, religion and socio-economic status. Bullying in schools can take place during or after school hours and anywhere in the school premises. Educators in schools need to be vigilant to pick up signs of bullying, as bullying can take place in the classroom, school hall, at the tuck shop, playgrounds, toilets and on the bus.


There are four main ways in which bullying takes place:


  1. Physical bullying: This involves an unwanted direct contact between the bully and the one being bullied such as hitting, kicking, fighting, spitting, pushing, pinching, tripping, damaging someone’s school bag etc.

  2. Cyberbullying: This is an aggressive behavior that takes place online (on the internet, social media) during which individuals hurt classmates who cannot easily defend themselves by using cellphones or computers. They use text messages, e-mails, online social networks, chatrooms, Twitter, Instagram or blogs to tarnish the image of another person.

  3. Verbal bullying: This is the type of bullying that is done through speaking and spreading negative information about someone e.g. teasing, name-calling, taunting, tormenting, threatening to cause harm, harassing, commenting negatively on someone’s looks, clothes, body, use of offensive language, etc.

  4. Emotional bullying: This is the form of bullying that causes damage to a victim’s emotional well-being e.g. ignoring a classmate on purpose, provoking other students, spreading malicious rumors about a classmate, getting other students to ‘gang up’ on others, etc.


At Gaborone International School, we believe it is important for parents and educators to work together to identify whether a learner is being bullied or is a bully. The lists below are not exhaustive.


Signs that your child is being bullied



  • grades declining, 
  • sudden loss of friends, 
  • loss of interest in schoolwork, 
  • changes in eating habits, 
  • frequent nightmares, 
  • frequent headaches or stomach aches,
  • faking illness, 
  • feeling helpless, not wanting to go to school, 
  • talking about suicide, etc. 
  • Signs that your child may be a bully
  • increasingly being aggressive,
  • having friends who bully others,
  • doesn’t accept responsibility for one’s actions,
  • blames others for one’s problems,
  • frequently sent to the principal’s office etc.


Educating children about bullying and its impact on others is of utmost importance for learners to thrive in a safe environment. It is therefore important that the issue of bullying be discussed by parents at home and educators make a concerted effort to curb its prevalence in schools. It is also important for both school and parents to educate learners on responsible usage of mobile phones and the internet. 


Where there is suspicion of bullying taking place, it is important for parents to alert the school and educators also to seek an audience with parents whose children may be involved. 


Learners should be encouraged to report cases of bullying.


To read more insightful blogs from our teachers and educational experts, click here.

To find out more about Gaborone International School and the work we do, click here.

Feel free to call or email one of our correspondents. 

By Gaborone International School 03 May, 2024
Mindfulness A fast-paced workplace where one is always overwhelmed with packed schedules, deadlines to meet and never having downtime, can contribute to burnout and ineffective discharge of duties. One of the ways in which this can be mitigated is by practicing mindfulness . What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is an act of meditation which teaches the practitioner to be present and not to let their mind wander. Practicing this form of meditation can bring many benefits and help reduce stress and improve memory. Through mindfulness you may be able to focus on the positive things in your life and give less energy to the things that may be harmful to you either mentally or physically. If left to its own devices, the mind will wander, and this can be a problem if you are trying to complete tasks to your full potential. If you can condition your mind to focus, you will be able to give everything you do a lot of attention, and this will help in creating the best output. The mind needs to be trained and mindfulness is a good practice to train your mind to focus on one thing at a time and give it your all. Mindfulness can be done to help you connect with yourself and your inner peace. It is beneficial to everyone; whether spiritual, religious or those who do not believe in a higher power at all. It is just a way to connect with yourself. Some experts believe that through mindfulness you will be able to accept your life experiences and work through them rather than avoiding them. You can couple this with therapy and be able to gain a deeper understanding of yourself. The beauty of this practice is that it can be done at any time, once you start getting used to the action. The easiest way to start is to find a quiet place and focus on your breathing. You have to breath intentionally and do not be hard on yourself if your mind starts to wonder, just bring yourself back to focusing on your breathing. The Benefits of Mindfulness Some of the benefits of mindfulness are that it improves mental health , it can help to reduce stress and even elevate your mood. It has been known to be used in the treatment of anxiety or depression. If you can live in the moment, it can help you not over to think situations or dwell on negative experiences. You can also control your emotions through the practice of mindfulness which can help if you have anger issues or have problems managing your stress levels. It is also helpful for lowering your heart rate because you will be breathing deeply therefore preventing health issues. The other benefits are being able to be calm in different situations and this type of focus can help you perform better at work or at school. Being able to be present allows for better performance because you will not be easily distracted and can complete the task at hand. Mindfulness also helps with creativity which can be a benefit when it comes to problem solving. You will be able to come up with new ways to help yourself and others. Furthermore, mindfulness can help you sleep better. If you are not constantly thinking about random things you will be able to fall asleep quicker and get an adequate amount of sleep which is important for mental health. According to Harvard health, mindfulness can improve physical health too, it can help reduce chronic pain and improve inflammation. In conclusion, mindfulness is a great tool to help heal your mind and body subsequently, increasing the quality of life and making it easier to handle stressful situations. Through mindfulness you can become an overall better person.
By Gaborone International School 25 Apr, 2024
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
By Gaborone International School 06 Mar, 2024
In the dynamic realm of education, technology plays a pivotal role in reshaping instructional methods and the learning experience at Gaborone International School (GIS ). From early childhood to higher education, technology permeates every facet of modern learning and unlocks diverse possibilities. 1. Early Computing Exposure: In the past, computer literacy was delayed to later schooling stages, but GIS prioritises early technology exposure. Even our youngest learners engage with educational software , mastering fundamental computer skills before literacy in traditional subjects. This early exposure not only equips them with essential tools but also cultivates comfort and adaptability in the digital era. 2. Online Research Integration: The internet allows GIS students to explore diverse subjects and access academic resources beyond textbooks. Platforms like Google Scholar empower students to enhance comprehension and critical thinking skills. 3. Educational Video Utilization: Platforms like YouTube serve as invaluable educational resources, offering diverse content across subjects. Supervised video viewing supplements classroom instruction, catering to various learning styles. For example, science teachers use YouTube to demonstrate chemical reactions, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation among students. 4. Robotics Integration: GIS' Science and Technology lab transcends theoretical learning, incorporating robotics for practical application. Students engage in experiential learning by building and programming robots, honing problem-solving skills across physics, engineering, and programming. 5. Enhanced Parental Engagement: Technology bridges school and home , facilitating smooth communication and parental involvement. Online platforms enable virtual school meetings, real-time access to academic reports, and effortless communication with teachers, strengthening the home-school partnership. In conclusion, technology has become integral at GIS , reshaping education and enriching the learning experience. From early childhood to advanced learning, technology empowers students to thrive in the digital age and beyond.
More Posts
Share by: