Anti-Bullying
Anti-bullying Policy
Bullying may be defined as repeated aggression – verbal or physical - conducted by an individual or group against another or others.
The following are some of the ways in which bullying may present itself:
- Pushing, tripping, bumping
- Taking or damaging property
- Mocking, taunting, pointing
- Name-calling
- Leaving a person out of a group or activity
- Unkind or insulting text messages
- Spreading rumours
- Making threats
- Shouting, roaring, back-answering in class
Wexford Vocational College condemns all forms of bullying and commits itself to dealing quickly with all instances of bullying. The College strongly asserts the right of every member of the school community to working in a safe and non-threatening environment.
Bullies rely and thrive upon our silence. To combat the problem it is important that all bullying behaviour be reported. The structure for dealing with cases of bully is as follows:
- Bullying behaviour should be reported initially to the Class Teachers. S/He will investigate the report. Her/His first actions will generally be on no-blame basis so that the perpetrator will be made aware of how hurtful her/his behaviour is and that it must stop. It almost always does. The Class Teacher may consult with and/or enlist the help of a School Guidance Counsellor if s/he considers it appropriate at this stage.
- If no improvement occurs, the Class Teacher will refer the matter to the Form Master. The Form Master is empowered to formally question students, to take written statements, to notify parents and to impose detention(s) upon perpetrators.
- Should a problem persist, the Form Master will refer the matter to the Principal/Deputy Principal. Following further investigation and due process, the Principal may impose a term of suspension on any guilty party. Any further instances of bullying by the same guilty party may be referred by the Principal to the Board of Management.
It is also our intention to deal with bullying in a pro-active manner involving a whole school approach. Accordingly, the school will:
- Liaise with source national schools to track any history of bullying
- Provide all necessary information about bullying parents of incoming students, the Parents’ Council, general meetings of parents
- Ensure that the teaching staff is kept fully informed of bullying cases, policies and programmes
- Develop an awareness of bullying and its consequences among the student body through SPHE, CSPE and Religion classes and the Meitheal system.
Provide all necessary support structures and financial resources to ensure that aspirations are achieved.
