VOICES

In today's educational landscape, creating a safe and nurturing environment for students is paramount. Keys School Manila takes a strong stance against bullying through its comprehensive approach rooted in the school's core values known as RICES—Respect, Inquiry, Collaboration, Excellence, and Social Justice.

Understanding Bullying Through Our Core Values

Respect

At Keys, respect forms the foundation of all interactions. We believe that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity, regardless of their differences. This core value directly counters bullying behavior by promoting understanding and acceptance among our community members.

Inquiry

Through inquiry, students are encouraged to question harmful behaviors and understand their impact. This value helps our community members develop empathy by exploring different perspectives and understanding the consequences of their actions.

Collaboration

Our collaborative environment emphasizes positive interactions and teamwork. When students work together, they build bridges of understanding that naturally deter bullying behaviors and foster supportive relationships.

Excellence

Excellence at Keys extends beyond academic achievement to encompass character development. We strive to nurture students who excel not just in their studies but in their treatment of others.

Social Justice

This value emphasizes fairness and equality, teaching students to stand up against any form of discrimination or harassment. It empowers our community to be active advocates for positive change.

A Holistic Approach to Addressing Bullying

Keys recognizes the complexity of bullying situations. As noted by progressive educators Almario and Zamora (2020), "Bullying is a case that should be handled in the most private way and the consideration for both 'bully' and 'bullied' to be processed not solely for justice but, more importantly, for the development and rehabilitation of their emotional health" (p. 216).

This research-backed approach guides our intervention strategies, ensuring that both the affected student and the one exhibiting bullying behavior receive the support they need for emotional healing and growth.

Support System and Implementation

Students at Keys are never alone in their journey. Class advisers serve as the first line of support, maintaining close communication with their students and monitoring classroom dynamics. The school's Wellness Department, particularly our dedicated life coaches, provides professional support and guidance to students facing challenges.

Moving Forward Together

Keys School Manila's commitment to creating a bully-free environment is unwavering. By embedding our RICES values into every aspect of school life and maintaining a strong support system, we continue to build a community where every member feels safe, valued, and respected.

Our approach recognizes that addressing bullying requires more than just rules and consequences—it needs a community-wide commitment to understanding, support, and growth. Through this comprehensive strategy, we work together to ensure that every student can thrive in an environment free from fear and intimidation.

Together, we can create a school community where kindness prevails and every individual's dignity is protected.

Reference:

Almario, A. R., & Zamora, T. (2020). A culture of care. In A. R. Almario & T. Zamora

(Eds.), School is life: Progressive education in the Philippines. Bughaw, Ateneo de Manila University Press.