St. Sourney's N.S., Ballinderreen 

Policy on Countering Bullying


  1. School Ethos

As outlined in the Code of Discipline and Behaviour, the role of Ballinderreen N.S. is to provide the highest possible standard of education to all its pupils in a stable secure learning environment. The school Board of Management and staff have a clear commitment to raising the level of awareness of bullying in the school and will act in preventing aggressive behaviour by any member of the school.


  1. Definition of Bullying

Bullying is repeated aggression, verbal, psychological or physical conducted by and individual or group against others. (Isolated incidents, although not bullying will not be condoned)


  1. Types of Bullying Identified by the School

  1. Physical: pushing, shoving, punching, kicking, poking and tripping people up etc.

  2. Damage to School or Personal Property: such as furniture, clothing, school books, bags, e.g. scattering books on floor, defacing, breaking, stealing or hiding them etc.

  3. Extortion: Demands for money or victim may be threatened to “pay-up” or suffer the consequences.

  4. Abusive Telephone Calls: including silent and anonymous calls.

  5. Isolation: A certain person is deliberately isolated, excluded or ignored by some or all of the class.

  6. Name Calling: referring to physical appearance (Big Ears) academic ability (swot, brain boxes, licks, teacher’s pet) or academic inability (dummies, dopes, donkey’s daw) etc.

  7. Intimidation: Aggressive body language sometimes accompanied by verbal expressions and facial expressions (the so-called “look” which conveys aggression or dislike).

  8. Slagging: When the normal good-natured banter which goes on as part of the normal social interchange between people extends to continuous very personal remarks about an individual appearance, clothing, personal hygiene or references of an uncomplimentary nature to members of one’s family.

  9. Bullying of School Staff: by any of the above means by verbal or physical assault, damage to property etc.



  1. Noting and reporting Bullying Behaviour.

As bullying behaviour thrives in an atmosphere of uncertainty and secrecy children are encouraged to “TELL” so that early detection if possible and victims will gain confidence in telling.

All school activities will be adequately supervised.

All reports of bullying will be noted, investigated and dealt with according to Dept. guidelines.

Sanctions as listed in the Code of Discipline will be imposed where necessary.


5. How Parents can help:

Parents should report incidents of bullying behaviour to the school at an early stage. Parents will be informed of serious bullying behaviour so that they can discuss the matter, help and support their children before a crisis occurs.

Parents of bullies have a serious responsibility in changing their child’s behaviour.


  1. Raising awareness of Bullying in the School:

  1. Stay Safe Programme is taught to all pupils during Junior and Senior Cycle.

  2. Bullying questionnaires in Senior Classes.

  3. Regular reminders of correct and acceptable behaviour.

  4. Sporting activities provide excellent opportunities for channelling and learning how to control aggression.

  5. Discussion on the interdependence of people in communities at local, national and international level during Geography, History, Civics, English, and Religion classes.


This anti-bullying code has been approved by the Board of Management of Ballinderreen N.S. and will be regularly evaluated and will be revised if necessary, in light of incidents of bullying behaviour encountered in the School.


School motto: - “PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE”