Scoil Mochaomhóg Naofa
Two Mile Borris
Thurles
Co. Tipperary
Anti-Bullying Policy
This policy is written in accordance with the school mission statement.
Scoil Mochaomhóg Naofa is a co-educational Roman Catholic, primary school, under the Patronage of the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, which strives to provide a disciplined, caring, happy and secure atmosphere where the academic, spiritual, physical, social, moral and cultural needs of the pupils are identified and addressed to the best of the ability of the teaching and ancillary staff of the school.
This policy was formulated by Staff and Board of Management of Scoil Mochaomhóg Naofa.
This policy was circulated to the Board of Management and Parents Association for observation and feedback in May 2013.
This anti-bullying policy operates in conjunction with the Code of Behaviour which is used to address isolated instances of anti-social behaviour.
Aims of the Policy
• To foster a school ethos of mutual and self-respect
• To raise awareness of bullying as a form of unacceptable behaviour
• To outline, promote and raise awareness of preventative approaches that can be used in response to reported incidences of bullying
• To develop a programme of support for those affected by bullying behaviour and for those involved in bullying behaviour
• To outline procedures for noting and reporting instances of bullying behaviour
• To outline procedures for investigating and dealing with incidents of bullying behaviour
The school has a central role in the children’s social and moral development just as it does in their academic development. In school, we work towards standards of behaviour based on the basic principles of honesty, respect, consideration and responsibility. The individuality of each child needs to be accommodated while acknowledging the right of every child to education in a disruption free environment.
All staff working in the school are also accorded these rights.
Definition and Examples
Bullying is defined as repeated aggression, whether verbal, psychological or physical, conducted by an individual or group against others over time.
Examples of bullying include:- physical aggression, damage to property, intimidation, isolation, name-calling, taunting or ‘slagging’, cyber-bullying; e.g., text, e-mail, social network sites.
Bullying based on a membership of particular groups is included in this policy.
Name calling which may appear harmless to some is considered bullying when it continues after it has been pointed out that it upsets the targeted person.
Child to child bullying, teacher to child, intra staff bullying, parent to staff and parent to child bullying (including a child other than their own) are examples of the areas where bullying may occur.
Isolated instances of aggressive behaviour, which would be dealt with under the Code of Behaviour, would not be described as bullying. However when the behaviour is systematic and ongoing, it is bullying.
The school acknowledges that there are three parties involved in bullying:- those who bully, those who are bullied and those who witness the bullying.
Staff and teachers bear this in mind when dealing with bullying incidences and try to support and work with all parties involved.
Intervention
Child to Child Bullying
Stage One
This will be dealt with by the classroom teacher who will talk to the children involved. The class teacher will inform the Principal.
Teachers respect the need to support the esteem of each party involved in an incident. When a teacher becomes aware that a child is regularly involved in incidents he/she will start a record of such incidents. The purpose of this record is:
• To aid memory by recording details of the incident
• For clarity in assessment of the situation
• For planning and intervention
Prior to a record of incidences being kept, parent(s) will be informed.
Should the action taken at this stage prove not to have resolved the issue, the staff will proceed to stage two.
Stage Two
• The class teacher and Principal will arrange to meet with the parents of the child who is seen to be bullying and separately with the parents of the victim of bullying.
• The child’s behaviour is monitored during the week by the class teacher / SNA
• The child has a meeting with his/her teacher and together they decide on what is to be written for that week.
• All positive behaviour, progress on work etc will be noted. At the end of the week, the teacher writes his/her own comment.
• Parents of both parties are informed of the outcome
The purpose of this report is to focus as much as possible on the positive qualities and efforts of the child, and to motivate the child to move away from negative behaviour. The child should be able to see that parents and school are working together in his/her interest, so the co-operation of the parents is essential.
Initially a review of the reports will be carried out on a weekly basis, in a meeting with the Principal, teacher, parents and child. If progress is being made, there can be longer intervals between meetings.
The child and parents of the child, who is the victim of bullying, may also meet with the Principal.
The aim of such a meeting(s) will be to address emotional needs and devise strategies for the child to deal with the bullying. This may involve reinforcing the programme being covered in class, or other strategies.
Stage 3
It is the duty of the school to provide a safe environment for all the children.
Should the above interventions fail and the bullying continue, a programme of appropriate sanctions may be implemented by the Principal in consultation with the parents and Board of Management.
Sanctions implemented aim to encourage positive behaviour and support the esteem of the child.
These sanctions may include a period of suspension during which there will be ongoing consultation with the parents to decide on appropriate action(s) to be taken in the best interests of the child.
Suspension for any period of time will be reported in writing by the Principal to the Chair of the Board of Management.
Bullying by Adults
In the case of intra-staff bullying, the school will adopt the procedures outlined in Section C (c2) of the INTO booklet: ‘Working Together: Procedures and Policies for Positive Staff Relations’. A copy of this document is available for free download on the INTO website. A copy is also available in the school office.
In the case of Teacher – Child bullying, a complaint should in the first instance be raised with the teacher in question by the parent/guardian of the child.
If the situation is not satisfactorily resolved the parent should arrange an appointment with the Principal.
Where it has not been possible to agree a framework for resolution, the matter should be referred in writing by both parties to the Board of Management for investigation.
In the case of Parent – Teacher bullying, the Principal should be informed in the first instance, and if deemed necessary the Board of Management should subsequently be informed in writing.
In the case of Parent/Visitor to the school – Child bullying, the complaint should be referred in the first instance to the child’s class teacher and subsequently to the Principal if unresolved.
In the case of Principal – Parent/ Child bullying, the matter should be raised with the Principal, and should the situation remain unresolved it may be referred to the Chairperson of the Board of Management.
Ratification and Review
This Anti-Bullying policy was presented to parents in May 2013 and was ratified by the Board of Management of Scoil Mochaomhóg Naofa in June 2013.
Signed: ……………………………………… (Chairperson PA) Date:…………………………
Principal: ……………………………………………………………… Date: …………………..
The plan will be implemented by the teachers and SNAs supported by the Board of Management from September 2013.
It will be reviewed every 3 years.
Signed: ____________________ Date: _____________
Chairperson, BoM
Further review of this policy will take place this year subject to new guidelines on Anti-bullying September 2013.