St. Patrick’s Classical School’s Bí Cineálta Parental Information
The Department of Education ‘Bí Cineálta’ (‘Be Kind’) procedures aim to prevent and address bullying behaviour in primary, post-primary, and special schools.
Developed collaboratively with education partners and informed by the insights of students, parents, school staff, and the wider education community, these procedures aim to foster a safe and inclusive school environment.
The Bí Cineálta procedures are centred on a child rights-based approach and support a partnership approach where all members of the school community work together to prevent and address bullying behaviour.
A positive school climate is one which welcomes difference and diversity and where students are encouraged to disclose and discuss incidents of bullying in a non-threatening environment. It ensures that students know who to tell regarding instances of bullying and how to tell.
To read the full school ‘Bí Cineálta Policy, please go to the Policy section of this website.
Bullying is defined in the Cineáltas procedures as ‘targeted behaviour, online or offline, that causes harm. The harm caused can be physical, social and/or emotional in nature. Bullying behaviour is repeated over time and involves an imbalance of power in relationships between two people or groups of people in society.’
To determine whether the behaviour reported is bullying behaviour, parents/guardians should consider the following questions:
If the answer to each of the questions above is Yes, then the behaviour is bullying behaviour, and the behaviour should be addressed using the Bí Cineálta Procedures.
If the answer to any of the above questions is No, then the behaviour is not bullying behaviour. Strategies to deal with inappropriate behaviour (which is not deemed as bullying) are provided for within the school’s Code of Behaviour.
Important Notes:
Under Bí Cineálta, a school is not expected to deal with bullying behaviour that occurs when students are not under the care and responsibility of the school. However, where this bullying behaviour has an impact in school, schools are required to support the students involved. Where the bullying behaviour continues in school, St Patrick’s Classical School will deal with it in accordance with the Bí Cineálta policy
A single hurtful message posted on social media can be considered bullying behaviour as it may be visible to a wide audience and has a high likelihood of being shared multiple times, and so becomes a repeated behaviour.
Bullying behaviour can be considered criminal behaviour under certain circumstances, and legal consequences can apply. The age of criminal responsibility in Ireland is 12 years old.
To support parents in understanding and engaging with the Bí Cineálta procedures, a range of resources is available. These include guidance documents, informational sessions, and materials designed to assist in recognising and addressing bullying behaviour. These resources can be accessed through the Department of Education’s website.
