POLICY ON BULLYING AND ANTI-BULLYING STRATEGY INTRODUCTION

Bullying is problem which many children encounter and one which is of great concern to parents and teachers. It is a problem which requires co-operation between schools and parents in seeking solutions. It can be physical, verbal or emotional and may be carried out by groups or by an individual.

To help Parents/Guardians prevent bullying An Anti-Bullying Strategy is outlined next. The Board of Management of Mother of Fair Love School considers bullying to be very serious issue and has adopted a Policy on Bullying to deal with this issue. This Policy of Bullying is outlined also.

Mother of Fair Love School Anti Bullying Strategy.

Children need to have the confidence to say "No" in a good assertive tone of voice if they are approached for lunch or possessions. Children who are confident in their abilities and in their appearance are also more likely to shrug off a taunt or a jibe. They also need to know that they have the right to tell an adult about a problem. Bullies will select children whom they feel can be kept quiet.

Building self esteem and a quiet sense of confidence is equally important for the child who is a bully, as it is for the potential victim.

(A) If your child tells you she/he is being bullied:

1. Stay calm - don't over react no matter what you are feeling. Your reaction may convey a sense of anger or disappointment to the child and could be counter-productive. Children who are bullied often fell a sense of failure and guilt. Your response should convey that they are not at fault and that this is a problem which can be overcome.

2. Teaching the child that she/he has the right to say "No" and to carry him/herself in a confident way will deal with many situations. Establish the right to tell and talk about the problem.

3. Talk to the teacher. Bullying is a covert activity and it can be difficult for teachers to detect. Teachers need the support of parents in tacking this problem. If the bulling is physical - don't tell your child to hit back. Schools cannot encourage children to engage in violent behaviour and conflicting advice will only confuse the child. Also, telling a vulnerable

4. It is important to tell children that some situations are impossible and that safety must come first. In a situation where a gang attacks for money or possessions the child should be advised that it would be better to give the money, get away and tell. It would be important in a situation like this that the child be praised for using common sense.

5. Some children attract bullies because of poor personal hygiene or habit. If this is the case it can be easily overcome with help from you.

Possible signs that a child is a victim of bullying:

§ May begin to do poorly at school.

§ May have unexplained bruises or scratches and may be evasive when questioned about them. § May begin to bully other children in the family.

§ May be unwilling to go to school or to walk to and from school.

§ May come home regularly with books or clothes torn or missing.

(B) If your child is the bully:

It is important to acknowledge that fact and help him/her overcome this. One of the most difficult problems which schools face in tackling bullying is getting the child and parents to acknowledge the fact that they are involved in such behaviour. Why do some children become bullies? This can happen for many reasons.

§ They may be bullied themselves by parents or siblings at home.

§ They may feel inadequate and lack confidence in themselves.

§ They may feel under pressure to succeed at all costs.

§ They may find it difficult to socialise with their peers and so pick younger, more vulnerable children.

§ They may be very spoilt and go totally unchallenged at home.

§ Some children become involved in bullying by acting as bystanders or supporters of a bully. If this is the case it must be pointed out that they are equally guilty of bullying.

What can you do?

1. Try to find out if this is a temporary response to something else in the child's life i.e. a new baby, a bereavement, stress at home.

2. Talk to your child - try to get your child to understand how the victim feels - help your child to socialise by inviting other children to pay on outings etc. Don't respond by being a bully yourself. Hitting and verbal attach will make the situation worse. You will need to deal with this problem over a period of time.

3. Talk to the child's teacher - you will find teachers willing to help. It is important that you and the teacher take the same approach to the problem.

4. Bullies often suffer from a lack of confidence. Don't compare your child's achievement with others. Praise helpful, kind behaviour at every opportunity.

5. Children should be taught to accept differences in others. If your child always seems overly critical of others help by making positive remarks about other children.

6. You may need help if your child has a serious behavioural problem - the school or your G.P. can refer him/her to the Child Guidance Clinic if necessary.

MOTHER OF FAIR LOVE SCHOOL POLICY ON BULLYING

January 1997

(In accordance with "Guidelines on Countering Bullying Behaviour in Primary and Post-Primary Schools" Dept. of Education 1993)

Definition: Bullying is repeated aggression - verbal, psychological or physical, conducted by an individual or group against others.

General Principals:

(i) The school promotes qualities of social responsibility, tolerance and understanding among all its members, both in school and out of school.

(ii) The school acknowledges the uniqueness of each individual and his or her worth as a human being.

(iii) The school acknowledges the right of each member of the school community to enjoy a secure learning environment.

(iv) The school disapproves of vulgar, offensive, sectarian or other aggressive behaviour by any of its member.

(v) Staff members share a collegial responsibility, under the direction of the Principal teacher, to act in preventing bullying or aggressive behaviour by any member of the school community.

(vi) Parents and Guardians have a crucial role to play in the promotion of good behaviour, and in developing a sense of self-respect and respect for others, in their children.

(vii) Co-operation and communication between home and school are essential elements in preventing and dealing with bullying.

Positive Strategies:

Teachers and other staff members can influence attitudes to bullying behaviour in a positive manner through a range of curricular initiatives and through other activities.

(i) Most ordinary classroom interactions provide an opportunity to promote good behaviour and to discuss with the children strategies for dealing with bullying behaviour.

(ii) The Stay Safe/Safety Skills Programme for Children with Learning Difficulties will also be used to address the problem of bullying behaviour.

(iii) Staff members will use other areas of pupil's interaction in school where appropriate.

(iv) From time to time, the school will organise awareness sessions on discipline in general and on countering bullying behaviour in particular.

(v) The school will explicitly encourage staff members, children and parents to report instances of bullying.

(vi) As self-esteem is the single most important factor in determining behaviour, staff members will use every opportunity to reward children for effort and improvement.

Procedures for Noting and Reporting an incident of Bullying Behaviour

(i) Each teacher will have special forms of recording incidents of bullying behaviour.

(ii) Each report of bullying behaviour will be investigated and dealt with, initially, by class teacher.

(iii) Each report of serious bullying behaviour will be referred immediately to the Principal.

(iv) Parents will be notified of reports of serious bullying. This applies to parents of victims as well as parents of the bully.

(v) Parents or Guardians who wish to report incidents of bullying may do so by contacting either the school Principal of the class teacher.

(vi) In the case of a complaint regarding a staff member, this should normally in the fist instance be raised with the staff member in question and if necessary, with the Principal. In the case of a complaint against the Principal, this should be raised with the Principal and, if necessary, with the Chairman of the Board of Management.

(vii) Where cases, relating to the pupil or a staff member remain unresolved at school level, the matter shall be referred to the Board of Management.

(viii) If not resolved at Board level, the matter will be referred to the Department of Education Inspector.

Following consultation with Parents and Staff this Policy of Bullying was adopted at a meeting at the Board of Management which took place on 17th December 1996.