Countering Bullying Behaviour at
Castleknock Community College
School Motto: 'Mol an Oige agus Tiocfaidh Si'
School Values: Courtesy, Respect and Responsibility

Introduction:

Our motto at Castleknock Community College is "Mol an Oige agus Tiocfaidh Sì" and the core value of our philosophy is based on the concept of "Courtesy, Respect and Responsibility".

In this context we believe that everyone in the school, both students and staff have a right to a safe, respectful and caring environment, which is free from threats, harassment or intimidation.

The purpose of this policy is to protect all members of our school community from being bullied (including teachers and other people working in the school, students and parents). In September 1993 the Department of Education and Science issued Guidelines on Countering Bullying Behaviour in Primary and Post Primary schools. The guidelines state:

"The role of the school is to provide the highest possible standard of education for all its pupils. A stable secure learning environment is an essential requirement to achieve this goal. Bullying behaviour, by its very nature, undermines and dilutes the quality of education and imposes psychological damage. As such, it is an issue, which must be positively and firmly addressed through a range of school-based measures and strategies through which all members of the school community are enabled to act effectively in dealing with this behaviour"
Castleknock Community College supports this view.

Definition:

Bullying is repeated aggression; verbal, psychological or physical conducted by an individual or a group against others.

Isolated incidents of aggressive behaviour, which should not be condoned, can scarcely be described as bullying. However, when the behaviour is systematic and ongoing it is bullying.

Types of Bullying:
Extract from Department of Education Guidelines on Countering Bullying Behaviour: Pupil Behaviour

(i) Physical Aggression
This behaviour is more common among boys than girls. It includes pushing, shoving, punching, kicking, poking and tripping people up. It may also take the form of severe physical assault. While boys commonly engage in 'mess fights', they can often be used as a disguise for physical harassment or inflicting pain.

(ii) Damage to Property:
Personal property can be the focus of attention for the bully; this may result in damage to clothing, school books and other learning material or interference with a pupil's locker or bicycle. The contents of school bags and pencil cases may be scattered on the floor. Items of personal property may be defaced, broken, stolen or hidden.

(iii) Extortion:
Demands for money may be made, often accompanied by threats (sometimes carried out) in the event of the victim not promptly "paying up". Victims' lunches or lunch money may be taken. Victims may also be forced into theft of property for delivery to the bully. Sometimes, this tactic is used with the sole purpose of incriminating the victim.

(iv) Intimidation:
Some bullying behaviour takes the form of intimidation: it is based on the use of very aggressive body language with the voice being used as a weapon. Particularly upsetting to victims can be the so-called 'look' - a facial expression which conveys aggression and/or dislike.

(v) Abusive Telephone Calls/Texts:
The abusive anonymous telephone call is a form of verbal intimidation or bullying. The anonymous phone call is very prevalent where teachers are the victims of bullying.

(vi) Isolation:
This form of bullying behaviour seems to be more prevalent among girls. A certain person is deliberately isolated, excluded or ignored by some or all of the class group, This practice is usually initiated by the person engaged in bullying behaviour. It may be accompanied by writing insulting remarks about the victim on blackboards or in public places, by passing around notes about or drawings of the victim or by whispering insults about them loud enough to be heard.

(vii) Name Calling:
Persistent name-calling directed at the same individual(s), which hurts, insults or humiliates should be regarded as a form of bullying behaviour; most name-calling of this type refers to physical appearance, e.g. 'big ears', size or clothes worn.

Accent or distinctive voice characteristics may attract negative attention.

Academic ability can also provoke name-calling. This tends to operate at two extremes; first, there are those who are singled out for attention because they are 'dummies', 'dopes' or 'donkeys'. At the other extreme are those who, because they are perceived as high achievers, are labelled 'swots', 'brain-boxes', 'licks', teachers' pets'", etc.

(viii) Slagging
This behaviour usually refers to the good-natured banter which goes on as part of the normal social interchange between people. However, when this slagging extends to very personal remarks aimed again and again at the one individual about appearance, clothing, personal hygiene or involves reference of an uncomplimentary nature to members of one's family, particularly if couched in sexual innuendo, then it assumes the form of bullying. It may also take the form of suggestive remarks about a pupil's sexual orientation

(ix) Bullying of School Personnel:
Bullying of school personnel by means of physical assault, damage to property, verbal abuse, threats to people's families etc.

Teacher Behaviour:
A teacher may, unwittingly or otherwise, engage in, instigate or reinforce bullying behaviour in a number of ways:-
- Using sarcasm or other insulting or demeaning forms of language when addressing pupils; making negative comments about a pupil's appearance or background;
- Humiliating directly or indirectly, a pupil who is particularly academically weak or outstanding, or vulnerable in other ways;
- Using any gesture or expression of a threatening or intimidatory nature, or any form of degrading physical contact or exercise.

The rights of pupils with respect to bullying at school:
Each child has a right to an education free from fear and intimidation. The purpose of this policy is to protect that right. Bullying will not be tolerated.

The responsibilities of pupils who witness bullying:
It will be made clear to all pupils that when they report incidents of bullying they are not telling tales but behaving responsibly. Moreover we make it clear that remaining silent very often compounds the situation and can unwittingly send the wrong message to the bully.

Preventative Strategy:
The school will work proactively to ensure as far as it can that bullying does not take place. Bullying can be prevented by raising awareness of all in the school community about the reality of bullying and is detrimental effects. The school uses the following approaches.

Teachers regularly stress to students the importance of reporting matters of concern.
The mentor programme encourages and teaches first year students the importance of reporting matters of concern.
The school seeks opportunities to enhance the self-worth of all pupils.
The school provides a wide range of extra-curricular activities that are open to all pupils.
Teachers use aspects of the curriculum to raise awareness of the inappropriateness of bullying behaviour as outlined below

Workshops in Castleknock Community College:
A programme of workshops on Bullying arranged for each 1st & 2nd Year classes by a senior member of staff as part of overall Pastoral Care (S.P.H.E. - Social Personal & Health Education Programme.) These workshops are explored further in SPHE classes.

Staff Development:
Issues of Bullying are regularly discussed during workshop sessions

Counselling Services:
Parents and pupils are also advised that they may use the counselling services in the college if they have any concerns in the understanding that they will be listened to, advised in a supportive environment.

Senior Management Meeting - (Year heads)
At our weekly meeting of year heads and senior management issues relating to our behaviour code (including our Policy on Bullying) are discussed and reviewed on a regular basis.

Helpline
A dedicated email address is available to pupils and parents who wish to communicate their concerns on bullying in a confidential manner. The address is aire@castleknockcc.ie

Procedures for investigating and dealing with bullying:
All interviews should be conducted with sensitivity and with due regard to the rights of all pupils involved.

A record will be kept of bullying incidents. Pupils are made aware that if they are involved in bullying the following will happen:
1. If you are involved you will be warned to stop.
2. Furthermore your parents may be informed.
3. Subsequent sanctions may include suspension or the Board of Management being notified.
4. Moreover the College recognises the importance of providing the necessary support structures to a student(s) involved in bullying in order that they can move forward.

Dealing with a case of Bullying: Guidelines for Staff

The first thing to do is to assure the child that the problem lies with the bully and not with them. This removes the shame many people feel when they are bullied.

A written record of the incidents should be kept with date, time, people and brief details.

Should a teacher come across an incident of bullying behaviour, the following procedure is recommended

1. Speak separately to the person who appears to be bullying, the person who appears to be the victim and if possible somebody not directly involved, nut who saw what happened. It can be useful to get all those involved to write an account of what happened. This is best done in private.

2. If the teacher considers the incident to be serious, it should be written down on a bullying incident form and also reported to the Year head or the Deputy Principal /Principal.

3. The Year head or the Deputy Principal /Principal should make contact with the parents if they consider it necessary.

4. The teacher should assure the person who has been the victim of bullying of ongoing support with the encouragement to report back any further attempts at intimidation.

5. Speak to the student(s) who have allegedly instigated the bullying and inform her/him/them firmly but in a non-aggressive manner that such behaviour will not be tolerated. Remind her/him of the existing Code of Behaviour they she/he signed when enrolling in the College. Remind them that there are pastoral supports for them in the College to assist them with the situation.

6. The person who has been the victim of bullying should be kept informed of all developments after the incident(s) have been reported and of any further action that is going to ensue. Where appropriate the college will endeavour to keep them involved in the decision making process.

7. Teachers should talk to colleagues, particularly when difficult situations arise.

Parents:
Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the school as soon as they suspect their son/daughter is being subjected to or is engaging in bullying behaviour. Parents should keep a record of incidents. The matter will be dealt with seriously.

What Parents need to know about an anti-bullying policy:

The school takes the issue of bullying seriously

Parents have a responsibility to ensure that their son/daughter does not engage in this behaviour.

The school does have a policy on bullying which was drawn up with reference to the Department of Education Guidelines on "Countering Bullying Behaviour in Primary and Post Primary Schools" published in September 1993. i.e. there are procedures for preventing, investigating and dealing with incidents of bullying behaviour.

When the school has investigated and established that bullying behaviour has occurred, a written record will be kept of bullying incidents.

The school has a programme of support for those affected by bullying behaviour and for those involved as perpetrators of bullying behaviour.

The school does impose sanctions in the event of ongoing bullying. A record will be kept of bullying incidents.

In promoting our mission of a caring and supportive environment, parents should feel confident about noticing the signs and symptoms of bullying behaviour. Furthermore they should make contact with the school quickly but should give the school the opportunity to investigate the matter fully. Parents need to have confidence in and support for the procedure operated by the school. Early contact with the school is the best approach.

Dealing with Bullying Behaviour: Guidelines for Parents.
Our school community believes that each student has a right to an education free from fear and intimidation. Bullying is not tolerated. Bullying is a secret activity and difficult to detect. In order to ensure that no student suffers in this way communication between the home and the school is most important.

The vast majority of students at school are unaffected by bullying behaviour. There is no need for parents/guardians to worry unduly. However the following signs/symptoms may suggest that a student is being bullied.

a. A student who has been happy at school losing interest and enthusiasm for school. This may be reflected in deterioration in school performance.

b. Anxiety about travelling to and from school - requesting parents to drive or collect them.

c. Unwillingness to attend school. Worrying about the route to school.

d. Damage to bicycles or personal property e.g. clothes, books or loss of same.

e. A student returning from school in a very bad humour but reluctant to say why.

f. Unexplained changes of mood. These will often occur before the restart of school - e.g. at the end of the weekend or the end of holidays.

g. Frequent minor illnesses, especially headaches and stomachaches, difficulty in sleeping, not eating. These often accompany the mood changes mentioned above.

h. An increase in requests for money.

i. Unexplained cuts and bruises.

j. Recurrent nightmares.

k. Loss of contact with friends

l. Bedwetting. (with younger children)

Theses signs do not necessarily mean that a pupil is being bullied. However, if repeated or occurring in combination these signs do need investigation.

Making contact with the School
The best way to make contact with the school about bullying is by telephone or letter. Thereafter an appointment will be made to discuss the mater with the parents.

General Points:

A child who has high self-esteem is most unlikely to be the victim or the perpetrator of long-term bullying. Parents can help to build up self-esteem in their children, by encouraging them, by making them feel good about their appearance and getting them involved in activities inside and outside school. Any activities, which lead to a sense of achievement, will help build self-esteem.

This Document has been drawn up in accordance with the Department of Education and Science. "Guidelines on Countering Bullying Behaviour in Primary and Post Primary Schools" published in September 1993.

By enrolling their child at Castleknock Community College, parents are acknowledging acceptance and support of the College Policy on Countering Bullying Behaviour

Written in association with Staff, Students and Parents 2004