Scoil Iosagain

Anti-Bullying Policy

Scoil Íosagáin is delighted to be working with the Anti Bullying Centre (ABC) in Dublin City University (DCU). We will begin to roll out workshops with 4th, 5th and 6th classes in February 2022.

November is the month when we focus on Anti-Bullying. However, we work hard throughout the year to create an awareness of Bullying and to equip our pupils with the skills and strategies necessary to ensure that school days are happy days.

In accordance with the requirements of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and the code of behaviour guidelines issued by the National Education Welfare Board, the Board of Management of Scoil Íosagáin has adopted the following anti-bullying policy within the framework of the school‟s overall code of behaviour. The policy fully complies with the requirements of the Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools which were published in September 2013. The Board of Management recognises the very serious nature of bullying and the negative impact that it can have on the lives of pupils and is therefore fully committed to the following key principles of best practice in preventing and tackling bullying behaviour:

 A positive school climate which-

• is welcoming of difference and diversity and is based on inclusivity;

• encourages pupils to disclose and discuss incidents of bullying behaviour in a non-threatening environment; and

• promotes respectful relationships across the school community

 Effective leadership

 A school-wide approach

 A shared understanding of what bullying is and its impact

 Implementation of education and prevention strategies (including awareness raising measures) that-

• build empathy, respect and resilience in pupils; and

• explicitly addresses the issues of cyber-bullying and identity-based bullying including in particular, homophobic and transphobic bullying.

 Effective supervision and monitoring of pupils

 Supports for staff

 Consistent reporting, investigation and follow up of bullying behaviour (including use of established intervention strategies) and

 On-going evaluation of the effectiveness of the anti-bullying policy.

AIMS

 To promote a culture in which pupils and staff will feel secure and confident and will tell staff if they are being bullied or are aware of others who are being bullied.

 To promote a non-judgmental approach. Instead of using the “blame / punishment” approach, we advocate challenging and changing the inappropriate behaviour. Labelling someone as a “bully” is not helpful.

 To design procedures and strategies to help those involved in Bullying including the victim and the Bully.

 To raise awareness among pupils, staff and parents of the nature of Bullying and its effects on the school community.

 To raise awareness among staff of the nature of bullying/inappropriate behaviour on staff members from parents/members of the public/colleagues and procedures to follow in such an event.

 To provide resources and materials to help address the problem on both a class and whole-school basis

 To create a happy, safe environment where mutual respect is consistently promoted and accepted by everyone

SCHOOL ETHOS

The school is committed to Gospel values in its daily living. This is reflected in the School Mission Statement and Aims. Central to this is the maxim: always treat others as you would like them to treat you, and this, in turn, underpins our Anti-Bullying Policy.

A DEFINITION

In accordance with the Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools bullying is defined as follows: Bullying is unwanted negative behaviour, verbal, psychological or physical conducted, by an individual or group against another person (or persons) and which is repeated over time.

It is repeated, deliberate behaviour designed to physically or emotionally hurt, belittle or make fun of another.

Types of Bullying include:

Direct Bullying

Indirect Bullying

Cyber-Bullying

It may manifest itself as fighting, threatening (either verbally or by using gestures), extortion, name-calling, excluding, whispering, ignoring or using electronic forms of contact via text messages, telephone calls, mobile phone cameras, e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging and websites, X boxes and Nintento DS. The use of mobile phones by pupils in Scoil Íosagáin is strictly forbidden.

“Bullying is a deliberate form of aggressive behaviour that is conducted by a young person or group of young people, on a systematic and ongoing basis, against a young person who is singled out, and is relatively unable to defend himself or herself. It is not bullying, for instance, when young people of around the same age and level of physical / social power have the occasional fight or quarrel.”
- Dr. Stephen Minton,
Presentation to Scoil Íosagáin School Community 12th October 2011.

The following types of bullying behaviour are included in the definition:

 deliberate exclusion, malicious gossip and other forms of relational bullying

 cyber-bullying and

 identity-based bullying such as homophobic bullying, racist bullying, bullying based on a person‟s membership of the Traveller community and bullying of those with disabilities or special educational needs.

Isolated or once-off incidents of intentional negative behaviour, including a once-off offensive or hurtful text message or other private messaging, do not fall within the definition of bullying and will be dealt with, as appropriate, in accordance with the school‟s code of behaviour. However, in the context of this policy, placing a once-off hurtful public message, image or statement on a social network site or other public forum where that message, image or statement can be viewed and/or repeated by other people will be regarded as bullying behaviour. Negative behaviour that does not meet this definition will be dealt with in accordance with the school’s code of behaviour (School Discipline Policy). The relevant teachers for investigating and dealing with bullying are as follows:

 The class teacher/teachers when it involves pupils from his/her particular class.

 The teacher on yard duty if bullying behaviour takes place in the yard. If the class teacher/teachers are on yard duty on that day then he/she will be the relevant teacher having been informed by the other teacher on duty.

 The teacher to whom a disclosure has been made will be the relevant teacher if the disclosure is made during a support teaching session.

 The relevant teacher will be the teacher who is coaching/managing/supervising an extra-curricular activity if a disclosure or incidents occur during or related to such activities.

While we accept that Bullying has happened and will happen again in our school, we are determined that

 our Anti-Bullying policy will ensure the protection of our school community through early detection and response and

 pupils, staff and parents will be equipped with the information, knowledge and skills to help prevent bullying behaviours.

PREVENTATIVE STRATEGIES:

 We endeavour to create a warm and welcoming environment promoting a school ethos that is inclusive and promotes values of respect, understanding and acceptance.

 Circle Time is a methodology recommended in all classes and used to develop Emotional Literacy. Circles of Support further develop emotional development.

 November is the month when we focus on Anti-Bullying awareness/Friendship

 “Le Cheile i Sport” is a school-based, school-designed initiative to promote the inclusion of pupils with Special Educational Needs with their mainstream friends.

 Discreet Anti-Bullying lessons are taught in all classes every November (Social Personal and Health Education). These will include lessons addressing cyber bullying and identity-based bullying.

 Questionnaires will be administered to pupils at least annually to review the situation.

 A wide range of books and resources are available for teachers and pupils.

 Social Stories are recommended where appropriate for pupils with Special Educational Needs.

 Drama is used as a methodology to support pupils and develop confidence.

 Lunchtime Clubs promote friendship, understanding and co-operation.

 The Roots of Empathy Programme teaches empathy and fosters appreciation of others‟ feelings.  Pupils in Fifth Class participate in “Friends for Life”. The programme helps students to develop effective strategies to deal with worry, stress and change and teaches the skills required to reduce anxiety and promote resilience.

 Friendship is celebrated.

 Staff/parents to communicate professionally and treat each other with respect

 Pupils in Fourth Class participate in a summer school/camp based in the School Library for 2 weeks in July. Activities to build friendships and self-esteem are central to the programme.

 Teachers will avail of every opportunity, within the teaching of all areas of the curriculum to foster an attitude of respect for all: to promote the value of diversity; to address prejudice and stereotyping and to highlight the unacceptability of bullying behaviour.

 Pupils are not permitted to take mobile phones to school.

 We will engage with services such as Donegal Youth Service to inform staff, pupils and parents.

PROCEDURES

 Children will be encouraged to tell “It is right to tell” is the “mantra” that is repeated to the children at all times.

 Any case of suspected or alleged bullying reported to a member of staff will be recorded by the relevant teacher.

 If a group is involved in bullying behaviour each member of the group will be interviewed individually at first. This will be followed by a meeting of the group.

 Pupils not directly involved may be asked to contribute.

 Parents will be encouraged to tell and share information with the Class Teacher.

 Pupils will be encouraged, where appropriate, to record instances of bullying.

 Any case of suspected Bullying will be reported by the Class teacher/Relevant teacher to the Principal.

 After initial investigation carried out by Class teacher and Principal establishes that bullying has occurred then the procedures outlined in Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools will be followed.

 As Bullying is considered a Serious Misbehaviour under the School‟s Code of Behaviour procedures will be followed as outlined therein.

 Principal will inform Board of Management of any incidents of bullying.

 Where it has been brought to the attention of staff that pupils have been victims of cyber bullying parents will be informed.

 Where it has been brought to the attention of staff that pupils may have been bullied outside of school staff will inform Principal and/or parents.

 A copy of the school‟s Anti-Bullying Policy will be given to parents when they enrol their children in the school. A copy will be posted on the school website.

 Parents will be informed of the activities taking place during Anti-Bullying week in November.

 Advice from Dr. Minton and Donegal Youth Service will be sought from time to time to ensure that Scoil Íosagáin operates in accordance with best practice.

QUESTIONS

The following questions will be used when following up cases of alleged bullying:

Questions to the alleged bully:
What happened?
What were you thinking then/since?
Who could have been affected/hurt/sad/upset?
What could you have done differently?
What needs to happen now to make things right?

Questions to the alleged victim:
What happened?
What did you think when you realised what was happening?
How did this impact on/hurt/upset you?
How did this impact on/hurt/upset others?
What was the hardest thing?
What needs to happen now to make things right?

Wording will be adapted for pupils in Junior classes as follows

Questions to alleged bully :
Tell me what happened
What made you (a) angry (b) sad (c) upset (d) afraid?
How do you think (victim) feels?
How would you feel if he/she did this to you?
What would have been a better choice?
How can we make things better?
Is there anything else you want to say?

Questions to the alleged victim:
Tell me what happened?
Was anyone else involved?
Are you hurt/Where are you hurt?
Tell me how this made you feel? ( angry, sad, upset, afraid )
What would make things better?
Is there anything else you want to tell me?

As part of the follow-up to any incident of alleged bullying a Bullying Report will be completed and a copy given to the Principal.

PROGRAMME OF SUPPORT FOR PUPILS AFFECTED BY BULLYING

If bullying occurs the Principal will meet with a group that includes the victim, the bully and other pupils, including those not directly involved but who are good role models within the class/group. This approach focuses on feelings and the importance of developing empathy and consideration. Shared responsibility and problem solving are essential components of the approach.

Step One - Initially the Principal will talk to the victim about their feelings, but will not question him/her about the incidents directly. (This will already have been dealt with by the relevant teacher)

Step Two - A meeting with the people involved will be convened: Principal arranges to meet with the people who were involved (minus the victim) as well as a number of children who have not been involved.

Step Three - Explain the problem: Principal tells them about the way the victim is feeling.

Step Four - Share responsibility: the Principal does not attribute blame but states that members within the group are responsible and they can do something about it.

Step Five - Ask the group for their ideas: each member of the group is encouraged to suggest a way in which the victim could be helped to feel happier.

Step Six - Leave it up to them: the Principal ends the meeting by passing on the responsibility to the group to solve the problem.

Step Seven – Meet them again: a week later the teacher discusses with each student, including the victim, how things have been going. Follow-up meetings with the group will be held as appropriate.

Nurture Programmes including Le Chéile i Spórt, Fun Friends, Friends for Life and Circles of Support will provide opportunities for developing self-esteem, confidence, empathy and respect. Those involved in bullying incidents will be included. Music Therapy sessions will be offered on an individual and/or group basis.

ROLES

 The Class Teacher will raise the issue of Bullying during Circle Time (a whole-class, democratic approach to discussion and problem solving)

 The Relevant teacher will record any incidents of alleged bullying and inform the Class teacher and Principal.

 The Class teacher will teach discreet anti-bullying lessons and organise activities during Anti-Bullying/Friendship Week.

 Where cases of bullying have been established then the Relevant teacher will record the follow-up and report to the Principal.

 The Board of Management is responsible for ensuring that all members of the school community are enabled to deal effectively with Bullying. The Board will ensure that proper supervisory and monitoring measures are in place to prevent Bullying and to deal with incidents appropriately as they arise.

 It is the responsibility of Parents/Guardians to encourage their children to behave in an appropriate matter; to adhere to the rules of the school. Parents can also watch out from signs that their child is being bullied or bullying others. They have an important role to play in helping to build their child‟s self-esteem and confidence and provide a vital link between home and school. This Policy was reviewed and amended in November 2014 after engagement including:

 In-service for whole-school staff from Dr. Stephen Minton, School Of Education, Trinity College, Dublin.

 Workshop for parents by Dr. Stephen Minton, School Of Education, Trinity College, Dublin.

 Meetings with Special Duties Teacher and School Principal

 Dissemination of Draft Policy to whole-school staff

 Dissemination and discussion with Parents

Policy Review Committee

 In-service for Principal with the PDST (Professional Development Service for Teachers).

Our Policy is reviewed on an annual basis, in November, by the Board of Management. The School Principal reports incidents of bullying to the Board of Management. Given the distressing impact of Bullying on those affected by it, it is extremely important that parents remain in contact with the school during and after any reported incidents.