Dear Parents and Guardians,
The new Bí Cinealta Anti Bullying Policy is available here. Please take the time to note the following:
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all our pupils, we are introducing a new anti-bullying policy, Bí Cineálta.
The key change in this policy relates to how the school responds to reports of bullying that happen outside of school (including online or in the community) and the manner in which we respond to allegations of bullying in the first instance.
We would like to clarify the following:
Bullying is defined in Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying and Bí Cineálta: Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour for Primary and Post-Primary Schools
- Bullying is targeted behaviour,is repeated over time and involves an imbalance of power in relationships between two people or groups of people in society. The detailed definition is provided in Chapter 2 of the Bí Cineálta procedures.
- In line with the Bi Cinealta Guidelines published by the Department of Education, bullying that occurs outside of school will not be investigated by the school.
If such incidents are reported to us, we will inform the relevant parents/guardians, but it is not within the school’s remit to investigate these matters.
If the child is impacted by bullying outside school, we will support them during the school day to ensure their wellbeing and learning are not affected.
The responsibility for addressing bullying that occurs outside of school hours or off school grounds lies with parents/guardians and other relevant adults.
If the bullying behaviour later occurs in school we will address those incidents in line with our Bí Cinealta Policy.
- The second point we would like to make you aware of is that when dealing with alleged cases of bullying we will adopt a calm, no penalty approach in the first instance. The goal of this no penalty approach when an incident of alleged bullying first takes place is to encourage pupils to tell, and not fear that their peer/(s) engaging in the bullying behaviour will be punished. We will seek to educate the pupils engaging in the bullying behaviour about the impact of their behaviour on the pupil being bullied. The school will seek a promise from the pupils engaging in the bullying behaviour to stop. If the bullying behaviour continues after this it will be dealt with in line with our code of behaviour. It is also important that all parents are aware that any situation where disciplinary sanctions are required is a private matter between the pupil being disciplined, his or her parents and the school.
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind families that:
All major social media platforms including Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok have a minimum age requirement of 13.
Our school is proud to be a smartphone-free school, and we strongly encourage families not to buy smartphones for children while they are in primary school. This supports their wellbeing, social development, and safety both in and out of school.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the school.
S Ryan
St Brigid’s NS Bí Cinealta Policy
Link to Resources for Parents on Bí Cinealta Supports
