Bí Cineálta Policy- Parent/Guardian Guide

🌟 Bí Cineálta Policy-

A Parent/Guardian’s Guide

(Aligned with St. Mark’s Community School’s new Bí Cineálta Policy to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour)

At St. Mark’s Community School, we want every student to feel safe, respected and valued.
If your child experiences bullying, it can be upsetting for the whole family. This guide outlines how to respond and what to expect from us, in line with our new Bí Cineálta Policy to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour St. Marks CS

1️⃣ Spot & Recognise the Signs 👀

Bullying can be:

• Physical – hitting, pushing, damaging belongings

• Verbal – name-calling, teasing, threats

• Social/Relational – exclusion, spreading rumours

• Online – hurtful messages, posting/sharing harmful content

Watch for changes: mood swings, reluctance to go to school, missing belongings.

From our policy:

• Bullying is targeted, repeated behaviour involving an imbalance of power.

• A one-off disagreement is not bullying, but it still needs to be addressed if hurtful.

2️⃣ Talk & Listen 🗣

• Listen calmly to your child, let them share without interruption.

• Reassure them that they did the right thing speaking up.

• Avoid blame, focus on the behaviour, not the person.

• Record key details -dates, times, places, people involved.

3️⃣ Contact the School 📞

You can reach:

• Your child’s Year Head

• Any trusted teacher

• The Deputy Principal or Principal

The school will:

1. Speak with your child to understand what happened.

2. Hear their views on resolution.

3. Talk to the other student(s) involved and their parents/guardians.

4. Take appropriate action under our Bí Cineálta Policy to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour St. Marks CS

5. Follow up after 20 days to ensure the bullying has stopped.

4️⃣ We Take Action ✅

You can expect from St Mark's Community School:

• Timely, sensitive handling.

• Privacy respected.

• Support for all involved: those experiencing, witnessing, or displaying bullying behaviour.

• External supports if needed (NEPS, TUSLA, Webwise, Jigsaw).

5️⃣ Stay Involved 🤝

• Attend follow-up meetings and keep communication open.

• At home:

  • Talk regularly about friendships & online safety.

  • Encourage kindness, empathy, and standing up for others.

  • Use resources like Webwisefor safe internet use.

  • Support school events such as Friendship Week, Stand Up Awareness Week, Culture Day.