The PEACE Pack : Reducing Bullying Promoting Wellbeing In Your Country

Since 2001 the P.E.A.C.E. Pack antibullying wellbeing program has been  translated and implemented in Japan Malta, Greece , Italy and Mongolia. Evaluations in schools in these countries show  significant reductions in bullying, increases in student coping skills, feelings of safety at school, school belonging and wellbeing of students. In Australia the PEACE Pack is a state and nationally recommended resource by educational and wellbeing websites.

Developed collaboratively with teachers, students, principals, parents and school administrators the program(s)  typically runs for 8 weeks and can be delivered by classroom teachers in their lessons.  The program is specifically designed as a ‘stand alone’ resource that can be implemented by any school or organization. Developmentally appropriate  programs and curriculum resources have been developed for the primary school and secondary school years.  Resources include a professional development program for teachers, teacher information sheets on topics such as student anxiety, a dvd depicting  types of bullying  and outlines of 8 classroom lesson plans. On-line questionnaires for staff and students are available providing schools with feedback after running the program(s). All resources are available digitally for downloading in an on-line format on the CAPER website <www.caper.com.au> 

The issue of bullying is a global concern with significant social and economic impacts for the individuals, families and communities. School communities recognise the need for evidence-based resources to address bullying and promote student wellbeing. As noted various countries have translated, implemented and evaluated the PEACE Pack  and feedback from students, teachers and parents in these countries strongly endorses the program because:

·       It has been developed collaboratively with stake-holders

·       It is reviewed and updated regularly

·       Its positive outcomes are evidence informed

·       On-line support is available

Endorsements

“Rather than just focusing on what bullying is, it goes beyond that to set up students with strategies of how to cope with bullying and teaches them concepts about resilience,” notes a  Student Wellbeing Leader -PEACE Pack in 2022-23.

“Thanks to what we learned through the PEACE Pack process, we feel  stronger and more capable of intervening, if we see bullying at school” reports an Italian student in 2024.

References

Slee, P.T. (2017). School Bullying: Teachers Helping Students Cope. Routledge, Parl Square, London.

Shute, R. H., & Slee, P. T. (2022). School bullying and marginalisation: Harmonising paradigms. Singapore: Springer Nature

Brighi, A., Mameli, C., Menin, D., Guarinia, A., Carpani, F., & Slee, P.T. (2020)  Coping with Cybervictimization: The Role of Direct Confrontation and Resilience on Adolescent Wellbeing. Environmental Research &Public Health.16, (24) 1-

11 doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16244893