Zero Tolerance For Bullying

The aim of our Anti-Bullying Policy is to make our school a happy Christian environment where all students enjoy a positive educational experience.  Respect for others means that, as good Catholics and therefore followers of Christ’s teaching, we act towards others with love and respect and do not hurt them in any way that we do not wish ourselves to be hurt.

Bullying is conduct that meets the following criteria:

• is directed against one or more pupils;
• substantially interferes with the education of one or more pupils;
• adversely affects the ability of a pupil to participate in or benefit from the school education or activities by placing the pupil in reasonable fear of physical harm or by causing emotional distress; and
• is based on a pupil’s actual or perceived distinguishing characteristic, or is based on an association with another person who has or is perceived to have any of these characteristics.

Such actual or perceived distinguishing characteristics may be race, colour, religion, ancestry, national origin, and gender identity; or a mental, physical or sensory disability or impairment.

All forms of bullying, physical, emotional and verbal or cyber bullying are strictly forbidden.  Bullying may occur on school property or during any school-organized activity.

By physical bullying we mean any form of physical hurt imposed on others e.g. hair pulling, blows, etc.

By emotional bullying we mean any form of looks, words and actions that offend or insult others and hurt their feelings.  Mocking or taunting, name calling, spreading rumours, deliberate exclusion of a student and threats are never tolerated at St Monica’s.

By cyber bullying we mean any message, words or pictorial footage transmitted by electronic means e.g. internet, mobile phone, pda, that also hurt or offend the feelings of others.

Since bystander support of bullying can reinforce this behaviour, both active and passive support for acts of bullying is prohibited.  The staff should encourage students to support those students who walk away from these acts when they see them, constructively attempt to stop them or report them to teachers or School Administration.

Both the victim and the bully need psychological help and support and this will be given.  But the bully will also be given the necessary sanctions for the offence.

Bullying offences are tackled by the Assistant Heads and, in the case of very serious matters, by the Head of School.  Any other support personnel, e.g. the school Counsellor, may be involved and the parents will be informed when the matter merits such procedure.

Sanctions and Remedial Actions

Sanctions and appropriate remedial actions for a student who commits one or more acts of bullying may range from positive behavioural interventions up to and including suspension and referral to the National Board for School Behaviour

Consequences for a student who commits an act of bullying shall be unique to the individual incident and will vary in method and severity according to the nature of the behaviour and the student’s history of problem behaviours.  Remedial measures shall be designed to

• correct the problem behaviour;
• prevent another occurrence of the behaviour; and
• protect the victim of the act.

The sanctions and remedial measures may include, but are not limited to, the examples below:

Sanctions:

• Admonishment
• Temporary removal from the classroom
• Loss of privileges
• Detention
• Referral to the School Disciplinary Board, Assistant Head or Head
• Suspension

Remedial Measures:

• Corrective instruction
• Supportive discipline
• Supportive interventions including participation of Referral Services
• Behavioural assessment or evaluation
• Student counseling
• Parent conferencing
• Student therapy

Cases of bullying that are found to be beyond the executive power of the school and other cases of persistent bullying where the school has exhausted all the means and provision available will be referred to the Good Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Service.

The Head and/or the Assistant Head are/is responsible for receiving complaints alleging violation of this policy.  All school personnel are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the Head or Assistant Head.  Students and parents are encouraged to report any act that may be a violation of this policy.  Reports may be made anonymously, but formal disciplinary action may not be based solely on an anonymous report but will follow a proper investigation.  This will be a prompt, thorough and complete investigation of each alleged incident and will be completed within three schooldays after a report or complaint is made.

No person can exercise reprisal or retaliation against any person engaging in bullying or who reports an act of bullying.  The appropriate action following such a reprisal or retaliation shall be determined by the Head after consideration of the nature, severity and circumstances of the act.

If any person falsely accuses another of bullying, the sanctions and appropriate remedial action for this person may range from behavioural interventions up to and including suspension.

St Monica School B’kara is committed to the dissemination of this policy among all stakeholders, students, parents and all school staff, and to its faithful implementation.