Anti-Bullying Policy 2014

Introduction

Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille is an all-Irish co-educational, Catholic primary school, established in 1995 under the patronage of the Foras Pátrúnachta.  The school caters for the demand for primary education through the medium of Irish in the locality.

In accordance with the requirements of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and the code of behaviour guidelines issued by the National Educational Welfare Board, the Board of Management of Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille has adopted the following anti-bullying policy within the framework of the school’s overall code of behaviour. This policy fully complies with and follows the requirements of the “Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools” which were published in September 2013 and is available to download in www.eduaction.ie.  This Anti-Bullying Policy was drafted in collaboration with the Teachers, Parents’ Association Committee and Board of Management.

Should there be any discrepancy between the Irish and English in this policy, it is accepted that the Irish is the correct version and the English is provided as a translation.

Ethos

We recognise, in Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille that we are a community; the school staff, pupils and parents and that it is imperative that we protect our children. We strive to create a positive, safe school where children can realise their full potential. This anti-bullying policy is put into practice in the context of the Code of Behaviour and the Child Protection Policy.

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 (see Appendix 1) which-

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

encourages pupils to be honest and truthfull at all times;

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

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;

explicitly address the issues of cyber-bullying and identity-based.

Effective supervision and monitoring of pupils;

Supports for staff;

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

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

Definition of Bullying

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 bullying behaviour are included in the definition of bullying:

causing physical harm to others

deliberate exclusion, malicious gossip and other forms of relational bullying

cyber-bullying

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.

To read the entire Anti-bullying Policy click on the following link :  

 Polasaí Frith-Bhulaíochta Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille

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