Anti-Bullying Policy
KILMACANOGUE NATIONAL SCHOOL
ANTI-BULLYING / CINEÁLTAS CAMPAIGN POLICY
School Position on Bullying
The Kilmacanogue school community believes that each pupil has a right to an education free from fear and intimidation.
The teachers in this school together with other staff members seek, on an ongoing basis, to cultivate an environment in the school that is free from bullying.
This school regards bullying as a serious infringement of individual rights and a serious threat to the self-esteem and self-confidence of targeted pupil(s). Therefore, this school does not tolerate bullying of any kind.
Every report of bullying is treated seriously and dealt with, having due regard for the well being of the targeted pupil(s) and the perpetrator(s).
The immediate priority, should a bullying situation arise, is ending the bullying, (thereby protecting the person(s) being targeted) and resolving the issues and restoring the relationships involved insofar as is practicable using a ‘Reform, not Blame’ approach.
All pupils are expected to contribute to the creation and maintenance of a safe environment in the school. On becoming aware of any bullying situation in or outside the school, involving or having an impact on members of the school community, they should notify a trusted responsible adult. Bullying behaviour is too serious not to report.
Pupils’ participation in school life in general is encouraged through existing school structures. Awareness of bullying, and willingness to take action to prevent or stop it, is part of this participation.
Anti-Bullying Policy
- In accordance with the requirements of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and the Code of Behaviour Guidelines issued by the NEWB, the Board of Management of Kilmacanogue National School has adopted the following anti-bullying policy within the framework of the school’s overall Code of Behaviour. This 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 culture and 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 address the issues of cyber-bullying and identity-based bullying;
- Effective supervision and monitoring of pupils;
- Supports for staff;
- Consistent recording, 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
- 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.
The following types of behaviour are included in the definition of bullying:
- 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 should 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 offensive or 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 of bullying will be dealt with in accordance with the school’s code of behaviour.
This definition includes a wide range of behaviour, whether verbal or written, whether physical or social, whether targeting person or property, whether carried out directly or indirectly or through any electronic or other medium, which could harm a pupil or undermine her/his self-esteem or self-confidence.
Appendix 1 gives a list of specific examples of bullying behaviour. This list is not exhaustive.
Additional information on different types of bullying is set out in Section 2 of the Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools.
- The ‘Relevant Teacher(s)’ for investigating and dealing with bullying in this school this year (as required in Procedures, Appendix 1 – Template Anti-Bullying Policy section 4) are indicated in Appendix 4 below.
(‘At primary level, the relevant teacher will normally be the class teacher.’ Procedures 6.8.3)
- The education and prevention strategies (including strategies specifically aimed at cyber-bullying and identity based bullying) used by the school include the following:
- The anti-bullying module of the SPHE programme as it applies during each school year, particularly the relevant exercises from the “Walk Tall” and “Stay Safe” programmes, and Prim Ed Anti-Bullying lesson materials.
- Awareness-raising exercises from the ‘Awareness-Raising’ strand of the Anti-Bullying Campaign programme, pro-actively explaining the nature and variety, causes, negative consequences and unacceptability of bullying.
Using a combination of exercises from these programmes on a monthly basis, pupils will experience approximately 10 short awareness-raising exercises each year. In the process:
- Pupils are helped to examine the issue of bullying in a calm rational way, outside of the tense context of particular bullying situations and so become more aware of the nature of bullying and the various forms that it can take.
- Pupils are made aware that the consequences of bullying behaviour are always bad for those who are targeted, even if this is not always obvious at the time.
- Pupils are encouraged to recognise, reject and report bullying behaviour, either spontaneously or through surveys that are regularly used in the school each year – e.g. a survey of all pupils who can read and write every half-term.
Through presentations or other exercises, the school staff and parents/guardians are made aware of the nature of bullying and the signs that might indicate that a pupil is being bullied. They are encouraged to be vigilant in watching out for signs of bullying and to report any suspicion of bullying they may have to the ‘Relevant Teacher’ (in the case of staff members) or any staff member (in the case of parents/guardians).
Through regular reports in the Kilmacanogue National School Newsletter and other communications, as well as at meetings with parent/guardian groups, parents/guardians are regularly informed of the anti-bullying activities of the school and encouraged to support its work.
- An annual anti-bullying/friendship day/week is held throughout the school.
- The school’s overall focus is on providing a safe environment for all its pupils and on the prevention of bullying in the first instance.
- Staggered break times for the Junior end of the school and the Senior end of the school may help to serve this purpose of prevention of bullying as it allows for greater management of supervision by staff on yard duty.
- Through Circle Time and Class Discussion the children learn that bullying is unacceptable behavior. They are encouraged to disclose, in confidence, if they are worried, as early as possible.
- Worry boxes/I Wish My Teacher Knew boxes are provided in each classroom and reference is made to their existence regularly by teachers and staff. Children are reminded to use them regularly by Teachers, SNAs and Principal.
- A Positive Mental Health noticeboard is regularly updated by the school’s Amber Flag team to encourage positivity and well-being among pupils and staff
- The Weaving Well-Being Programme (Forman) is available throughout the school. This has been delivered by a member of the Amber Flag team in four classes in 2021 to 2022 and in the remainder of classes at the discretion of the classroom teachers. The school intends to provide further CPD training for teachers in Weaving Well-Being Programme.
- In recognition of the positive effects on well-being of having a very good quality outdoor space, the school constantly tries to improve its outdoor areas. The school garden has been upgraded and enhanced by the pupils themselves under the direction of staff. Children regularly engage in gardening activities, almost on a daily basis. Bird feeders and bird boxes are cared for by the children. The physical structures of the garden areas have been enhanced by the replacement of fencing and gates, to be painted by the children with staff, thus giving a sense of ownership, belonging and importance to the pupils. The garden pond has been brought to life with frog-spawn and water-lilies. Art work in classes is often inspired by the natural surroundings of the school. This is all part of the school’s extensive biophilia project (the healing power of nature) which included the application for and awarding of a tree grant for the planting of four hundred and fifty young trees in the school grounds.
- Buddy benches and picnic tables have been placed strategically in the school grounds to allow for time to sit and talk with friends; for children who need to sit out of activities for various reasons (e.g. injuries) they can be joined by a friend or two rather than sitting alone; sometimes board games or other such activities can be played at these tables.
- A Sensory Room was established in the school last year in a temporary capacity which was timetabled for short sensory breaks for pupils throughout the day. Children with additional needs who attended this comfortable, nurturing and safe space were often encouraged to bring one or two friends with them (on a rota basis, organised by the Class Teacher). Post Covid restrictions have meant that this temporary space has had to be repurposed. However, a sensory corridor is in the process of being created at present in the junior end of the school. It is hoped that the school will have a sensory room next year. Sensory areas have been established in some classrooms to help to promote reciprocal inclusivity.
- Extra curricular activities are encouraged in the school, which help to promote confidence in our pupils. Music classes are provided (drumming workshops, guitar lessons, cello lessons, violin lessons, harp lessons, tin whistle tuition, piano and keyboard), Art and Craft, Drama, Knitting and Sewing classes, Language and Culture Classes, Sports Skills and Science workshops, which reach a significant number of our pupils.
- Kilmacanogue National School follows the National Educational Psychologists’ (NEPS) Continuum of Support for all pupils in need of Classroom Support, School Support and School Support Plus (See SEN/Additional Needs Policy). This, in itself, is a measure that supports the well-being of these pupils through effective learning and behavior support plans and hence, is another tool in the school’s efforts in the prevention of bullying behavior.
- Kilmacanogue National School became a member of the SPHE Network in October 2021 and attends the SPHE Annual Conference under the auspices of the DCU Anti Bullying Centre (formerly Trinity College Anti-bullying Centre).
- Staff regularly engage in Continuing Professional Development courses in relation to Well-being and promotion of positive behavior (for example, Responding to Trauma in Children’s Lives; Positive Psychology and the Teaching of Happiness; …..)
- The school’s procedures for uncovering, investigation, follow-up and recording of bullying behaviour, and the established intervention strategies used by the school for dealing with cases of bullying behaviour, (e.g. the “4 Essential Steps” approach available from the ‘Resolving Bullying Situations’ section of the Anti-Bullying Campaign website) are as follows:
- The ‘Relevant Teacher’ investigates all instances of reported or suspected bullying behaviour, whether these take place within the school or outside it but with an impact within it, with a view to establishing the facts and bringing any such behaviour to an end.
- Since bullying is often hidden from teachers and not reported, but pupils “see everything,” it is planned that surveys will regularly be used to uncover possible bullying situations, allowing pupils to suggest to their teacher who s/he should talk to in relation to these. For example, a recent Cyberbullying survey, conducted on our behalf by an outside company, Zeeko, uncovered a number of interesting cyberbullying issues.
- The School, through the ‘Relevant Teacher’ reserves the right to ask any pupil to write an account of what happened, as part of an investigation. This will be a standard procedure and does not necessarily imply that any pupil is guilty of misbehaviour.
- Pupils who are alleged to have been involved in bullying behaviour are interviewed by the ‘Relevant Teacher,’ acting in loco parentis, to establish the nature and extent of the behaviour and any reasons for it. In the event that they have been involved in bullying behaviour they are asked to sign a binding promise that they will treat all pupils fairly, equally and respectfully including the targeted pupil(s).
- The ‘Relevant Teacher’ does not apportion blame but rather treats bullying behaviour as something that can and must be remedied. S/he emphasises that the intention is not to punish perpetrators but to talk to them, to explain how harmful and hurtful bullying is and to build a dialogue that will seek to bring this negative behaviour to an end and seek a promise that it will stop. If that promise is forthcoming and is honoured there will be no penalty and that will be the end of the matter. Pupils who report bullying therefore are not getting others ‘in trouble’ but rather enabling them to get out of trouble into which they may ultimately get if the bullying continued.
- When an investigation is completed and/or a bullying situation is resolved the ‘Relevant Teacher’ will complete a report, to include the findings of the investigation, the strategy adopted and the outcome of the intervention, as well as any other relevant information.
- If a pupil has signed such a promise but then chooses to break that promise and continue the bullying behaviour, parent(s)/guardian(s) will be informed, at that “early stage,” (Procedures 6.8.9. (xiv)) and requested to countersign their child’s promise. Breach of this additional promise by further bullying behaviour would be regarded as a very grave matter and a sanction may be imposed by the school authorities (See sanctions below).
- All documentation regarding bullying situations and their resolution is retained securely in the school.
- Sanctions:
Where a pupil has been found to be engaged in bullying behaviour, has formally promised to stop and has broken that promise, any of the following sanctions may be imposed:
- For (first) breach of promise – i.e. a resumption of bullying behaviour – s/he may be required to sign another promise, this time countersigned by a parent/guardian;
- In the unlikely event of a further (second) breach of promise – i.e. a resumption of bullying behaviour – the ‘Relevant Teacher’ may contact parent(s)/guardian(s) to inform them of the nature and extent of the bullying behaviour, to discuss the matter with them with a view to coming to a better understanding the reasons for the bullying behaviour, to suggest actions to be taken to help meet their child’s needs and to agree a strategy whereby a promise to end the bullying behaviour would be honoured;
- In the highly unlikely event of a further (third) breach of promise – parent(s)/ guardian(s) may be invited to a meeting with the ‘Relevant Teacher’ and the Principal and a sanction may be imposed in accordance with the Code of Behaviour of the school.
- In the extremely unlikely event of a further (fourth) breach of promise – the case may be referred to the Board of Management and a further sanction may be imposed in accordance with the Code of Behaviour of the school.
The school’s programme of support for working with pupils affected by bullying is as follows:
- For bullied pupils (as required under Procedures 5.2.2 (vii) and Appendix 1. 7.):
- Ending the bullying behaviour,
- Changing the school culture through ongoing awareness-raising to (a) foster more respect for bullied pupils and for all pupils and (b) foster greater empathy towards, and support for, bullied pupils,
- Indicating clearly that the bullying is not the fault of the targeted pupil (a reassurance bullied pupils often need), through ongoing awareness-raising and through the speedy identification of those involved in bullying and speedy resolution of bullying situations and, after resolution, enabling bullied pupils to complete a victim-impact statement,
- Making adequate support and/or counselling facilities available to pupils who need them (who seem less resilient and are slower to recover, make friends and enjoy school life again), within or outside the school as applicable, in a timely manner,
- Helping bullied pupils raise their self-esteem by encouraging them to become involved in activities that help develop friendships and social skills (g. participation in group work in class and in extra-curricular group or team activities during or after school).
- Implementing a ‘buddy system’ in the school (if applicable).
- For bullying pupils: (as required under Procedures 5.2.2 (vii)):
- Making it clear that bullying pupils who reform are not blamed or punished and get a ‘clean sheet,’
- Making it clear that bullying pupils who reform are doing the right and honorable thing and giving them praise for this,
- seeking other ways to “catch them doing the right thing” and giving appropriate praise,
- Supporting them to overcome learning difficulties through Support Staff provision and to overcome emotional and/or social difficulties through class management and pastoral care within the school,
- Helping those whose self-esteem is low by encouraging them to become involved in activities that develop friendships and social skills (e.g. participation in group work in class and in extra-curricular group or team activities during or after school),
- Using learning strategies throughout the school and the curriculum to help enhance pupils’ feelings of self-worth, including creating opportunities to use appropriate praise,
- In dealing with negative behaviour in general, encouraging teachers and parents to focus on, challenge and correct the behaviour while supporting the child,
- In dealing with bullying behaviour seeking resolution and offering a fresh start with a ‘clean sheet’ and no blame in return for keeping a promise to reform.
- Making adequate support and/or counselling facilities available to help remedy underlying issues for those who need them, within or outside the school as applicable, and to help them learn to meet their needs without violating the rights of others,
- Supervision and Monitoring of Pupils:
The Board of Management confirms that appropriate supervision and monitoring policies and practices are in place to both prevent and deal with bullying behaviour and to facilitate early intervention where possible.
- The Board of Management confirms that the school will, in accordance with its obligations under equality legislation, take all such steps as are reasonably practicable to prevent the sexual harassment of pupils or staff or the harassment of pupils or staff on any of the nine grounds specified i.e. gender including transgender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community.
- This policy was adopted by the Board of Management on 02/03/2022 and has been reviewed and updated on 2nd March, 2023.
- This policy has been made available to school personnel, published on the school website (or where none exists, is otherwise readily accessible to parents and pupils on request) and provided to the Parents’ Association. A copy of this policy will be made available to the Department of Education and Skills and to the patron if requested.
- This policy and its implementation will be reviewed by the Board of Management once in every school year. Written notification that the review has been completed will be made available to school personnel, published on the school website (or where none exists, be otherwise readily accessible to parents and pupils on request) and provided to the Parents’ Association. A record of the review and its outcome will be made available to the Department of Education and Skills and to the patron if requested.
Signed: Judy O’Toole Signed: Ann Marie Bourke
(Chairperson of Board of Management) (Principal)
Date: 02/03/2023 Date: 02/03/2023
Date of next review: 02/03/2024
Appendix 1 – Examples of Bullying Behaviour
Bullying (Deliberate, Repeated, Hurtful Behaviour) can take a number of forms. These may include any of the following (this list is not exhaustive):
- Repeated aggressive behaviour/attitude/body language, for example:
Shouting and uncontrolled anger
Personal insults
Verbal abuse
Offensive language directed at an individual
Continually shouting or dismissing others
Public verbal attacks/criticism
Domineering behaviour
Open aggression
Offensive gestures and unwanted physical contact
- Intimidation, either physical, psychological or emotional, for example:
Treating in a dictatorial manner
Ridicule
Persistent slagging
Deliberate staring with the intent to discomfort
Persistent rudeness in behaviour and attitude toward a particular individual
Asking inappropriate questions/making inappropriate comments re. personal life/family
Asking inappropriate questions/making inappropriate comments re. social life or schoolwork
- Interference with property, for example:
Stealing/damaging books or equipment
Stealing/damaging clothing or other property
Demanding money with menaces
Persistently moving, hiding or interfering with property
Marking/defacing property
- Undermining/Public or Private Humiliation, for example:
Condescending tone
Deliberately withholding significant information and resources
Writing of anonymous notes
Malicious, disparaging or demeaning comments
Malicious tricks/derogatory jokes
Knowingly spreading rumours
Belittling others’ efforts, their enthusiasm or their new ideas
Derogatory or offensive nicknames (name-calling)
Using electronic or other media for any of the above (cyber bullying)
Disrespectfully mimicking a particular individual in his/her absence
Deliberately refusing to address issues focusing instead on the person
- Ostracising or isolating, for example:
Deliberately marginalising an individual
Deliberately preventing a person from joining a group
Deliberately preventing from joining in an activity, schoolwork-related or recreational
Blaming a pupil for things s/he did not do
Appendix 2 – Prevention/Awareness Raising (Required under Procedures 5.2.2 (iii) & Appendix 1. 5.)
Exercises From: Exercises From: Exercises From:
“Walk Tall” “Stay Safe” “Anti-Bullying
Campaign”
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J Junior Infants
S Senior Infants
1 First Class
2 Second Class
Third Class
Fourth Class: Walk Tall :
Unit 4: Making decisions: Lessons 1-4
Unit 5: My friends and other people: Lessons 1-3
Stay Safe:
Topic 2: Friendship and Bullying
Topic 4: Secrets and Telling
Incidental lessons as issues arise, 2x anti-bullying and friendship lessons a month using resources from https://www.antibullyingcampaign.ie and frequent discussions about Friendship and Bullying. Webwise activities and lessons on cyber-bullying.
The Social group 2x times a week with Support Teacher using CJ Fallon Mindful Matters 4. Topics include:
.
Unit 1 – Be a friend
Unit 2 – All sorts of friends
Unit 3 – Forever friends
Unit 4 – in good company?
Unit 5 – friendship tips
Unit 6 – Stop the bully
Unit 12 – I really should
Unit 13 – everyone has feelings
Unit 14 – communication
Unit 15 – effective listening
Unit 16 – criticism can be helpful
Unit 17 – even best friends can argue
Unit 18 – Go on, you want to
Unit 19 – everyone needs rules
Unit 23 – actions have consequences
Unit 24 – tricky situations
Unit 25 – mobile phones
Unit 26 – On the net
Unit 28 – Friends on the telly
Fifth Class:
Anti-Bullying lessons:
Weaving Well-Being by Fiona Forman and Mick Rock.
Lesson 1: The importance of positive relationships.
Lesson 2: Respect
Lesson 3: Empathy
Lesson 4: Look for win-wins
Lesson 5: Active Listening
Lesson 6: Try to forgive
Lesson 7: Interest in others
Lesson 8: No more snap judgements
Lesson 9: Give, give, give
Lesson 10: Taking all the steps.
The Stay Safe Lessons
Topic 2: Friendship and Bullying pages 29-50.
Lesson 1: Friendship
Lesson 2: What is bullying?
Lesson 3: Other types of bullying
Lesson 4: Cyberbullying
Lesson 5: Coping with bullying
Lesson 6: Class agreement
Books read with class and used for discussion:
Bullying – By Karen Bryant-Mole
Under the mask – By Emma Cahill. Recognising and dealing with sadness, anger and worry.
Other incidental discussions as they arise in the classroom and also through other subjects such as Religion and History.
Sixth Class:
Stay Safe Programme Topic 1: Feeling Safe and Unsafe
Stay Safe Programme Topic 2: Friendships and Bullying.
Support materials from the book ‘Total Health (Upper level)’ (Prim Ed resource).
6th class Weaving Well-Being programme, 10 Lessons, Empowering Beliefs (growth mindsets).
Walk Tall Programme, Antibullying Lessons.
Appendix 2 Contd. Sample: Prevention/Awareness-Raising Exercises
from the Anti-Bullying Campaign – Fostering Friendship, Kindness and Respect
for Junior and Senior Infants and First Class (Age 4-7 years)
Appendix 2 Contd. Sample: Prevention/Awareness-Raising Exercises
from the Anti-Bullying Campaign, Strand 1 – Raising Awareness Handbook
for Second to Sixth Classes (Age 7-12 years) and the Whole School Community
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Appendix 3. – Resolving Possible Bullying Situations – for Second to Sixth Classes (Age 7-12 years)
(Required under Procedures 5.2.2 (v)/(vi),5.3.1 (viii) & Appendix 1.6)
From: Anti-Bullying Campaign Strand 2 – Resolving Bullying Situations Handbook
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Appendix 4
The ‘Relevant Teacher(s)’ for investigating and dealing with possible bullying situations in this school
(as required in Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools, 2013
Appendix 1 – Template Anti-Bullying Policy, section 4)
(‘At primary level, the relevant teacher will normally be the class teacher.’ Procedures 6.8.3)
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- Wolohan for Junior Infants Class,
- Davenport for Senior Infant Class,
- Burnham for First Class.
- O’Farrell for Second Class,
- O’Gorman for Third Class,
- Quiney and Ms. Hevey for Fourth Class.
- Quinn and Ms. Montgomery for Fifth Class.
- Byrne for Sixth Class.
- McCormack as Support Teacher and SENCO.
- O’Connor as Support Teacher.
- Greene as Support Teacher.
- Mason as Support Teacher.
- Bourke as Acting Principal for all classes.