Dear Parents,
Recently, a heart-wrenching video from a High School in Cape Town has been circulating on social media. It shows a young learner, a cancer survivor, being bullied by fellow students, including some rugby players. Stories like this are deeply disheartening, and they remind us of the importance of vigilance and intentional care in our schools.
At Precious Lighthouse Academy, we are committed to ensuring that every child feels safe, valued, and respected.
Our school is small, and this gives us a tremendous advantage: we know each of our learners personally.
This close-knit environment allows us to:
• Identify early signs of conflict or bullying before it escalates
• Understand each learner’s personality, strengths, and challenges
• Foster strong, trusting relationships between staff, learners, and parents
Why Small Schools Can Be Safer
In smaller schools like ours, bullying is easier to spot and address.
Learners are part of a close community where everyone’s actions are noticed.
Staff members can intervene quickly, and we can create a culture of accountability and respect.
Strategies We Use to Prevent Bullying
1. Open Communication: Learners are encouraged to speak up about anything that troubles them.
2. Relationship Building: Teachers, caregivers, and staff form close bonds with each learner, creating a sense of belonging.
3. Character Education: We teach empathy, kindness, and respect as part of daily life.
4. Clear Policies: Bullying is never tolerated. Any incidents are addressed immediately and appropriately.
5. Peer Mentoring: Older learners are trained to support younger ones and model positive behaviour.
How Parents Can Help
Parents play a crucial role in preventing bullying. Here’s how you can support your child:
• Model Respectful Behaviour: Children learn from what they see at home.
• Discuss Empathy: Talk about how actions and words affect others.
• Encourage Openness: Let your child know it’s safe to share worries about peers.
• Set Boundaries Around Aggression: Teach your child that being mean, excluding others, or using violence is unacceptable.
• Monitor Social Media: Cyberbullying can often continue outside school hours.
At Precious Lighthouse Academy, our goal is not just academic excellence, but also developing learners with strong character and emotional intelligence.
By working together—teachers, parents, and learners—we can eliminate bullying and create a school where every child feels safe, loved, and respected.
Let’s protect our children and guide them to be kind leaders of the future.
With care,
Berry Klein
Director