FEBRUARY 2006

Local Schools participate in unique anti-bullying initiative

Primary and Post primary schools in the Carndonagh area are this week involved in a coordinated anti-bullying initiative.

With activities running throughout the week from Monday 6th to Friday 11th February, the aim is to raise awareness around the theme of bullying behaviour in schools, its effect on the target, the bully, their families and the schools.

The schools involved in this initiative are working together in raising the issue of bullying amongst our young people and are adopting a proactive approach, delivering the message that bullying is not acceptable behaviour and that no child should have to suffer at the hands of a bully. The Principals and teachers of all the schools involved are to be highly commended on taking part in what is already a very busy time for schools.

Most schools at a national level do have anti-bullying policies in place but this is not enough. Schools need to be active in addressing this problem and this is what this special anti-bullying awareness week is all about, with schools having an action based week on in-school surveys, classes on the theme of bullying behaviour, art exhibitions and drama with every student taking part. The message will be that these are 'telling schools' and that no child should have to suffer in silence.

Dr. Mona O'Moore, who spent Monday 9th January with the staff of the Community School, is the Director of the Anti Bullying Centre in Trinity College, Dublin, and is one of the country's leading lights in this area. This week should have additional benefits for the entire school communities as it is being run in Carndonagh Community School and twelve Primary Schools. A number of representatives from all schools have attended joint planning meetings. Teachers in all schools have also received in-house support.

The initiative is spearheaded by Sally Bonner, Director of Donegal Education Centre, and along with the Donegal Education Centre, and the HSE, representatives from an Garda Siochána will all be involved. A similar programme was run in the Bundoran & Ballyshannon areas some time ago and proved to be an outstanding success.

Back