Bullying Behaviour in Schools
In the School Year 1993/94, the Department of Education issued
Guidelines on countering bullying behaviour in schools. The Staff
in the school having discussed the Guidelines have now formulated
a School Policy on the subject. The following are the steps we intend
to take with the students:
1. Raise the level of awareness of bullying so that students can
be alerted to the problems.
2. Deal with the different forms of bullying.
3. Encourage students who are being bullied to tell someone they
trust so that they receive the support and help they need.
4. Give support to the person who is bullying.
Bullying is not a big problem in the school but we know from experience
that it does or can exist from time to time. It is necessary, therefore,
to provide a protective and supportive structure for any student
in the school who may be a victim of bullying.
Your Help is Important
It is most important that incidents of bullying are reported as
soon as possible so that action can be taken. It is here we seek
your help. Please do not hesitate to let us know of any bullying
behaviour which comes to your notice. The behaviour may only be
innocent 'messing' or teasing but if it causes hurt to a student
it is best to make the perpetrators aware of this.
The following are just some points which may suggest a pupil is
being bullied:-
* Unwillingness to go to school
* Loss of enthusiasm for, or interest in school
* A pattern of illness eg headaches, stomach aches
* Possessions missing or damaged
* Increased requests for money or stealing of money
If you have suspicions please let us know so that together we can
eliminate the problem.
Homework and Home Study
Homework is assigned to all students and it provides a back-up
to the work done in class. Students are expected to keep a record
of homework assigned to them in the Homework Journal available in
the College. Parents should try to help students understand (particularly
at Junior Certificate Level) that STUDY is more than written homework.
Study also means revising what has been covered in class that day
as well as reading up additional data on the topic covered.
Remember Reading, Written Work, revision of each day's work and
longer-term revision are all part of an evening's study.
The following is a suggested guideline for the time spent at study
each evening:
First Years 1 to 1-1/2 hours
Second Years 1-1/2 to 2 hours
Third Years 2 to 2-1/2 hours
Senior Cycle 3 to 3-1/2 hours
These can be increased depending on the number of Higher Level
or Honours Subjects being taken, particularly at Senior Level. It
is important that parents adopt a positive and encouraging approach
to their children's study. A survey of Junior Certificate Students
was carried out recently. In the survey the Students were asked
to name the ways in which their parents could help them regarding
study. The following points were most frequently made.
1. Help us to arrange a timetable for TV/Video so we don't have
too much.
2. Expect the best from us without undue pressure.
3. Provide a quiet place to study.
4. Ensure we get fresh air.
5. Help us set a time limit on study each night e.g. 10:00 p.m.
6. Encourage us - ask us how we are doing.
7. Offer to test us on what we have studied.
Attendance
Parents must ensure that their child attends school regularly and
punctually. Students should be absent from school only for good
reasons as each absence interferes to some extent with the student's
progress. All absences must be explained in writing only in the
Student Journal. Students must have written explanation in the Journal
for the teacher of the first class on the day of resumption.
School Hours
Classes start at 9:00 a.m. Students should be in the College ground
by 8:55 a.m. Lunch is from 12:25 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. Junior Cycle
students are not permitted to leave the College grounds at lunchtime
without permission from parents. The College will not be responsible
for students who leave the College grounds without permission at
lunchtime. Students who live in the town may of course go home for
lunch.
Canteen
Students may avail of the school canteen at morning break time
and at lunchtime. Soup, soft drinks, hot drinks and confectionery
can be purchased in the Canteen but parents should ensure that their
child takes a nourishing packed lunch to school if not going home
for lunch.
Breakfast Club
Subject to permission being given by parents, students can avail
of a full breakfast in the Canteen between 8.15 - 8.45 a.m. Breakfast
consists of cereal, toast, yogurt, juice etc.
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