KiVa - Anti-bullying program

¡We are a KiVa school!

What is KiVa?

KiVa is an antibullying program that has been developed in the University of Turku, Finland.

The program is evidence-based which means that the effectiveness of KiVa has been proven scientifically.

KiVa offers a wide range of concrete tools and materials for schools to tackle bullying.

What is bullying?

• Bullying is a group phenomenon. 
• For perpetrators bullying seems to be motivated by the pursuit of visibility, power and a high status in the peer group. For that reason bullies need bystanders or spectators.
• These bystanders play different roles in the bullying situation.
• They may reinforce the bully’s behavior by verbal or nonverbal signals that are socially rewarding. These signals suggest that bullying is acceptable, or even funny and entertaining.  

What is NOT bullying?

Calling someone a name or pushing someone once, being rude or having an argument with someone is not bullying.  

Of course, these behaviors should be addressed but may have different consequences and interventions, which is why the distinction is critical.  

Warning signs

• The consequences and effects of bullying can turn out in the student in many ways. Recognizing the problem is an important first step in taking interventive actions against bullying. It is crucial to identify the signs and to open a conversation with the persons involved.

• Not all children who are bullied ask for help. In addition, some children may not show any signs at all.The signs may also be the result of other problems in the child or adolescent’s life, such as problems at home or depression.

• A few examples of changes in child’s behavior:

  • Is afraid of walking to school or taking the bus
  • absence from school due to head or stomach ache
  • visible signs of physical aggression
  • becomes stressed, anxious, withdrawn, easily irritable, angry etc.

What is KiVa PREVENTION? - KiVa Prevention programme

As the saying goes, prevention is better than a cure. This is why the first strategy of the KiVA is always the evidence-based Prevention Programme.

However, it is also key to have strategies in place for any bullying that may persist even after the prevention measures are delivered. In this case, the school can also call on members of staff trained in KiVa Intervention.

Two members of staff reach out to the reported student on the receiving end of persistent bullying. We also speak to the students who have reportedly been taking part in bullying to try to get an accurate picture of each case. The situation is then carefully monitored for two more weeks to make sure things are improving, whereupon we meet with all parties again for a review. The response is generally a positive one. Open communication is key to the success of the intervention programme, where everyone is clear on the deep impact bullying can have on any given individual. 

The KIVA prevention programme is delivered across primary and secondary school throughout the school year.These are KIVA lessons adapted to student´s age.

• UNIT 1: Primary level
• UNIT 2: Secondary level: S1, S2 and S3
• UNIT 3: Secondary level: S and S5

KiVa Team

Each week the KiVa team meet to discuss cases of bullying.

Three possible routes to resolution are decided on:

1. KiVa intervention
2. Psychological intervention
3. Discipline intervention 

Primary

Mrs. Evelyn Olivier - Assistant of the Deputy Director 

Mrs. Maribel Tejedor - KiVa coordinator

ALI-KIVA-NUR-PRI@eursc.eu  

Sr. Tiago PITA - Assistant of the Deputy Director 

Sra. Fiona O’Leary - KiVa coordinator

ALI-KIVA-SEC@eursc.eu

What can I do to help?

¡Information is Key!

The school needs to be informed as soon as possible.

The % success is connected to an early identification of Bullying.

All the school community needs to be attentive and collaborate on a healthy atmosphere at European School Alicante!!