Bullying Policy

Policy

The Academy of Mary Immaculate is totally opposed to bullying in all its forms - physical, psychological and verbal. We seek to maintain a climate at this college in which all members are secure, happy and able to achieve their best.

Definition

Valerie Besag, in Bullies and Victims in Schools defines bullying as:

• A repetitive attack which causes distress not only at the time of the attack but also by threat of future attacks.

• Characterised by the dominance of the powerful over the powerless in whatever context.

Bullying may be verbal, physical of psychological in nature.

Verbal Bullying may include, name calling, offensive or threatening language, picking on people, ridiculing people behind their backs, racist insults, sexual innuendo.

Physical Bullying may include, fighting, pushing, showing invasion of personal space, damaging other people's possessions.

Psychological Bullying may include: circulating personally offensive notes or material, graffiti, repeated exclusion from a peer group, making unacceptable and nuisance telephone calls.

Any such bullying may have a range of harmful long-term effects on both the bully and the victim.

Rationale

The College openly seeks to be a "sensitive and supportive community ..." in which we give "unconditional respect to each other ..." and we follow the call "to act with truth and justice in all our endeavours ..." ( Academy of Mary Immaculate Bullying Policy) At Academy we aim to affirm in each student her sense of dignity, worth and responsibility. Any form of bullying or intimidation erodes our success in achieving this goal and hinders the student striving for excellence. It is recognized that bullying affects the whole school community - the offender, the victim, the witness, class morale and unity, the teachers, the parents. Bullying denies the right of every individual to a life free from fear, coercion and the misuse of power.

Aims of Policy

• To counter views that bullying is an inevitable part of school life.

• To provide a safe, secure learning environment for our students.

• To create a supportive climate and break down the code of secrecy that often protects the bully.

• To provide suitable counselling services for students involved in such behaviour.

• To provide a physical environment which engenders appropriate behavioural patterns.

• To move beyond a crisis-management approach to an environment free from physical or verbal abuse.

Penalties Applied For Breach Of Policy

First Penalty - One or more of the following will apply

• Verbal warning on expected behaviour

• Written warning via diary parent/teacher sign

• Yard duty assignment at Recess or Lunchtime for one day (20 minutes of lunch only)

Second Penalty - One or more of the following will apply

• Lunchtime detention (20 minutes of lunch only)

• Yard Duty assignment at Recess or Lunchtime for 2-5 days

• Interview with Homeroom Teacher and Subject Teacher with student to emphasize expected behaviour

• Note to parent detailing second penalty and interview

• Student written apology

Third Penalty - One or more of the following will apply

• After school detention administered via Level Coordinator

• Weekly Conduct Card

• Student written apology

• Repeated breach of level one unacceptable behaviour will result in a Detention on Pupil Free Day.

• Interview with parents and Deputy Principal

Ongoing Bullying will result in the student's ongoing placement at the College being discussed at an Interview with the Principal.