Dealt with it every day back in highschool.
During normal times, I did this by... not doing anything. Like, literally. Any stupid comments thrown my way merely resulted in a blank stare of general disdain. Didnt matter what they said, it all received the same stare in return. With no satisfying responses, they usually would give up fast. If I was feeling extra moody, I wouldnt even bother with the stare. Wouldnt even look at them. If I was reading a book (and that was usually what I was doing) I'd just keep reading. Basically saying "your comments arent even worth the trouble of me responding with that stare".
On the occaision when anyone tried something stupid, well, I never resorted to violence. Typically, I'd make sure situations were engineered so that if someone was dumb enough to try anything, they'd effectively self-destruct. They'd get in immediate trouble, while I'd remain unaffected. It's interesting, really... the amount of effect that words can have, if given to the right people at the right times. And how much influence a mere student can have over faculty. Interesting also how simply positioning yourself in certain places in a given room can also influence events.
Usually, putting a stop to their antics required very little effort. Most bullies arent very bright, after all. And after doing it enough times... eventually most of them simply stayed away from me. So that was good.
That's what worked for me. But that doesnt mean that stuff will work for everyone. The main thing though that I always emphasize to anyone getting bullied: dont resort to violence, and dont be afraid to ask for help from teachers. If teachers shrug you off... keep pestering them about it anyway. After all, it's their freaking job. Teachers still wont help? Try going a bit higher.
Seriously, you'd be surprised at what can be accomplished, depending on the actions you take. Just have confidence in yourself, and think things through, as every situation is different. Dont let jerks get to you regardless though. All those stupid comments and insults... they arent worth your time.
It's surprising how similar your situation - and reaction - was to mine. You almost sound like you're describing my own experiences. Blank stare, always with a book, always indifferent towards their bullying. Indifferent towards anything concerning them, really. My only reaction from time to time was to respond with 'You're annoying'. It's interesting how little I cared about them and societal expectations at the time. I didn't have to play nice and most would ger bored with the 'unresponsive robot'.
I responded only once in a truly violent way but it was more of an instinctual reaction than methodical approach. I didn't plan it and I got lucky, I suppose. It was after the bell when my class was still waiting in the corridor for the teacher. One of the girls was always persistent - the more I would ignore her, the more she would bother me. Teachers didn't really care in my school - kids will be kids, right? - so she would get more and more confident every time she escaped any form of punishment. On that day she already took my bag, messed my books, talked at me the typical slurs and then tried to force me to take my clothes off before the whole class. I didn't really perceive it as an attempt at humiliation at the time but I hated when people would touch me without asking.
So I beat her. Not very badly, no one would be able to see anything - what's the point in aiming at the face anyway? She never tried again - she was as much of a coward as any bully. No one from my class did and no teacher ever knew. Suddenly I became not only cold and weird but also scary. You could see it in other kids' eyes. Teachers talked to me what happened but nothing ever came out of it. But then, they cared little in general. I did get a teacher that cared but it happened some years later, so at the time I was on my own.
I don't condone violence and I don't say it solves problems - but I can see how at times it feels necessary. It's better to try to talk to your teachers or maybe a school counsellor about bullying first. That teacher I mentioned, the one that cared? She helped
a lot with kids outside my class and it was easier and less stressful than getting into a fight, especially that the school policy was very harsh towards violence, so if a teacher saw me on that day or if the girl or the class told on me - I would have been suspended for sure. The rules were ridiculous in that school, to be honest - shoving and slapping were fine, throwing water and slurs were fine, destruction of property was fine, stealing was fine but fights? - a big NO!
In bullying, a lot depends on your body language. Maybe you could describe as your reactions to some of the bullying and we could help you solve the problem by working on the way you carry yourself? As mentioned before, bullies are cowards. They always find the easiest prey. If you become more confident and difficult to rile up, maybe they will leave you alone - but you will need to stand up for yourself and start fighting back - not literally, mind you.
1. Start with talking to your most trusted/favourite teacher - or even your parents if you trust them to help you.
2. Check if your school has a counsellor.
3. Check what's written in code of conduct about the behaviour of the bullies and what are consequences of doing it.
4. Check what's exactly your school's policy on this specific kind of bullying - you can ask a teacher or listen during breaks if anyone talks about something like this.
5. Read on body language and how to make others see you as a confident, strong person.
6. In a pitch, talk to your parents about changing schools.
There's much to be done but above all, you need to start fighting for yourself or it will never stop. You can do it. Let us know how it's going.
You deserve to have a peaceful education. Now, go, prepare yourself for the first talk. Make a list of things they do to you and how it makes you feel to help you gather your thoughts.
Just
make sure bullies don't get the list.
Edit:
now they laugh and joke about my dying mum.
That's
unacceptable. They have
no right to any of this. Please remember it. In some countries, it even breaks the law as emotional and verbal abuse and your school should be held responsible for making sure it stops.
If the bullying is getting worse, you really need to speak to someone. Try any teacher. Even all of them. If you can, organise things so that the teacher would
witness the bullying. Or record them and show it to the teacher if they don't believe you. Check for the counsellor and ask if you can move to a different class. It's not often that it's made but still happens. Ask for help. If people don't know, they won't be able to give it to you. Please, get help.