Kindness in Community
In communities such as Christian schools, it is worth taking time to talk about how we treat one another. A topic that always deserves a fresh look is bullying.
From a Christian perspective, we believe God designed us to live in communities where people genuinely care for each other. Kindness, support and compassion aren’t just nice ideas — they’re part of who we’re called to be. When we act in ways that lift others up, we reflect Christ. When we act in ways that push people down or leave them out, we move away from the kind of belonging God wants for us.
Jesus said that whenever people gather in His name, He is present with them. That’s us. Our community exists because we’re doing Christian education. So if Christ is among us, then the way we treat one another really matters. Respect, patience, understanding and kindness are core to who we are.
As we know, even in a caring workplace, bullying can still happen; same in a caring school. What’s important is how we respond when it does. At MCC we take every report seriously. We look into concerns, and if we find that bullying has occurred, we follow our “Bullying and Harassment Policy”, which you can find on our website. Our approach is firm because student safety matters, but it also encourages reflection and growth. Young people can learn from their mistakes.
Bullying isn’t always obvious. It can happen quietly, and students who are affected may feel unsure about speaking up. Generally, behaviour is considered bullying when it’s deliberate, repeated and targeted in a way that creates an imbalance of power.
It’s also helpful to remember that not all unkind behaviour is bullying. For example: students can have disagreements without it being bullying. Sometimes it’s simply conflict.
A single act of nastiness or aggression is still unacceptable, but it isn’t bullying unless it becomes a pattern.
Social friction or just not getting along isn’t bullying unless someone is being deliberately and repeatedly excluded or targeted.
We’re very fortunate to have such wonderful students, and Christian schooling is something special, and parents and teachers in partnership plays a huge role in helping our children feel safe, confident and ready to learn.
david gleeson, principal