i was never bullied physically, but it was an all girls school, and they had really nasty little ways of bullying. i remember a couple of instances vividly: during Housecraft (it was a long time ago...), we had to take it in turns to do various tasks. when it was my week for drying up, they soaked my tea towel in the sink, so it took me an hour to finish. doesn't sound like much, but when it's dark early, and you're on your own in a dodgy area of the city... another time, they put snow in my school bag. we had to use fountain (ink) pens in those days, and so you can imagine the state of all my exercise books.
that sort of subtle bullying is just as bad, i think - it works on a psychological level instead of the physical (although i think physical works on the psychological level as well).
at one point, the headteacher actually came into the class and threatened them with all sorts if it didn't stop. can you imagine that working now?