patricianhighschool

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY



PRESENT POLICY TO COUNTER BULLYING BEHAVIOUR



The Patrician High School anti-bullying policy has been developed over a period of time and has involved a survey of students, a report to the whole staff of a sub-committee of teachers who had looked in detail at the issue whilst working in conjunction with the NEHB (Cool Schools Programme), consultation with the Parentsp Association and final ratification of the agreed policy by the management of the school.



There are 3 sections to the policy:

1. Anti-bullying Statement (includes definition, rationale and school position on bullying)

2. Procedures (for dealing with complaints, disclosures and suspicions of bullying)

3. Anti-bullying Charter.



ANTI BULLYING STATEMENT:


Definition:

Bullying behaviour is repeated aggression/inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or otherwise, by one or more students against another or others, which could be reasonably regarded as undermining the latterps right to personal dignity. It includes, but is not confined to, such actions as damage to property, extortion, intimidation, verbal or written abuse, isolation, name calling etc.


Rationale:

The Patrician High School community believes that each student is entitled to a stable and secure learning environment and has the right to an education that is free from fear, annoyance and intimidation. Bullying behaviour undermines this right and is not tolerated.

Our goal is to raise awareness of bullying as an unacceptable form of behaviour and to establish a high degree of collective vigilance and it also encompasses the creation of an atmosphere of openness in order to encourage subjects of bullying behaviour to disclose.


Aims of the Policy

Our policy is a preventative one but specific measures are in place to deal with bullying behaviour when it arises. This policy relates to all students, with particular attention being given to incoming students and their parents/guardians. Our aims are to create an ethos which

ß raises awareness of bullying as unacceptable behaviour among all students

ß encourages students to disclose confidentially incidents of bullying behaviour

ß encourages all members of the school community to look out for and after one another.

ß dispels a culture of secrecy in which a student might feel a sense of hopelessness and futility against the power being exercised by those involved in bullying behaviour.



School Position on Bullying:

ß The Patrician High School is a school that takes a most serious view of bullying behaviour or intimidation of any kind. Physical aggression, damage to anotherps property, threats, name calling, abusive language, encouraging any form of taunting or any other form of behaviour, be it physical or psychological, which is intended to harm anyone or undermine their confidence in any way is treated in a very serious manner.

ß The school regards bullying as a serious infringement of any individualps rights and a serious threat to self-esteem of the subject of the bullying behaviour.

ß Any report of bullying will be treated seriously with due regard for the well being of the subject(s) and the perpetrator(s).

ß School authorities will take corrective action on becoming aware of bullying. The immediate priority will be the protection of the subject(s) and ensuring a complete cessation of the bullying behaviour.

ß Students are expected to help to provide a safe environment for all members of the school community and with regard to this they should make a responsible adult aware of all instances of bullying. It is too serious not to report.

ß Studentsp participation in school life is encouraged through existing school structures. Awareness of bullying and a willingness to take action to stop it is part of this participation.

ß The school is committed to creating a school environment free from bullying. There is an obligation on each student to report bullying so that school management can take appropriate and effective action to bring same to an end



Patrician High School Anti-Bullying Charter .

ß We want the Patrician High School to be free from bullying behaviour

ß There should be no name calling

ß There should be no physical abuse.

ß There should be no 'ganging up' on people.

ß All students, staff and visitors should feel respected.

ß We all share the responsibility that the property of each member of the school community is respected.

ß Anti-social behaviour is neither acceptable nor condoned.

ß Problems should be shared.

ß We all share responsibility that bullying behaviour is not tolerated









RIGHTS RESPONSIBILITIES


I have a right to I have the responsibility to ensure that:

-be physically safe others are physically safe

-expect my property to be safe the property of others is safe

-be free from all forms of verbal bullying others are free from all forms of verbal bullying

-be free from extortion others are free from extortion

-be free from emotional bullying others are free from emotional bullying

-be free from any hurtful remarks. others are free from any hurtful remarks.



ß All students to be made aware of the Anti-Bullying Charter by the School Authorities each year.

ß A copy of the charter is displayed in each classroom in addition to other areas of the school

ß Students are to be reminded regularly of our Anti-Bullying Policy.

ß Students are encouraged to report all cases of bullying behaviour.



PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH A SITUATION

1. It is made clear to all students that when they report incidents of bullying that they are behaving responsibly and they will be assured that the report will be treated seriously

2. On becoming aware that 'bullying' may be taking place in the school, an investigation will be carried out which will endeavour to establish

ß the veracity of the incident/s

ß the intent and extent of the incident/s.

ß the seriousness of the incident/s

ß the effect/s of the bullying behaviour on the subject/s

3. The school reserves the right to ask any student to write an account of what happened as part of an investigation. This will be a standard procedure and does not necessarily imply that a student is guilty of misbehaviour.

4. A report will be prepared which will include the findings of the investigation, the strategy adopted and the outcome of the intervention as well as any further suggestions for rehabilitation of both the subject(s) and perpetrator(s)



SANCTIONS

Where a student is found to be engaged in 'bullying behaviour' the following sanctions may be imposed:



ß A formal warning will be issued to the perpetrator.

ß Parents / guardians will be informed of the nature and the extent of the bullying behaviour.

ß Parents / guardians may be invited to meet the Principal and appropriate sanctions may be imposed

ß If the bullying reoccurs the case may be referred to the Board of Management who may take whatever steps are appropriate in dealing with the situation.



The Anti-Bullying Policy of the Patrician High School has been devised in close reference to the Department Of Education Guidelines and the North Eastern Health Board Cool Schools Anti Bullying Programme