Bí Cineálta for Parents/Guardians
💚 Our Commitment
Elphin Community College is committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive school environment where bullying behaviour is prevented, reported and addressed.
The school’s Bí Cineálta Policy sets out how we work with students, parents/guardians and staff to prevent and respond to bullying behaviour.
❓ What is Bullying?
Bullying is targeted behaviour, online or offline, that causes harm. The harm may be physical, social or emotional. Bullying behaviour is repeated over time and involves an imbalance of power.
🎯 Targeted
The behaviour is aimed at a specific student or group.
🔁 Repeated
The behaviour happens more than once, or is likely to be repeated or shared.
⚖️ Imbalance of Power
The student experiencing the behaviour may find it difficult to defend themselves.
💔 Harmful
The behaviour causes physical, emotional or social harm.
Important: A once-off harmful online post may be treated as bullying where it is likely to be shared or repeated.
🔎 Possible Signs That a Student May Need Support
Every student is different, but parents/guardians may notice changes such as:
- Reluctance to attend school or certain activities.
- Changes in mood, sleep, appetite or confidence.
- Becoming withdrawn or upset after using a phone or device.
- Loss of belongings or unexplained damage to property.
- Sudden changes in friendship groups.
- Reduced engagement with school work or activities.
If you are concerned: Please contact the school early. Early reporting helps prevent escalation.
📞 How to Report a Bullying Concern
1Contact the school as early as possible.
2Share the basic facts: what happened, who was involved, where and when.
3Keep screenshots or evidence if the concern is online.
4Avoid contacting other students directly or posting publicly online.
5Work with the school so the matter can be addressed sensitively and appropriately.
Contact: Year Head, Deputy Principal, Principal or school office.
🛡️ How the School Responds
When a bullying concern is reported, the school will respond in line with the Bí Cineálta Policy and national procedures.
- The student experiencing the concern will be listened to and reassured.
- The privacy of those involved will be respected as far as possible.
- Conversations will be handled sensitively.
- The school will consider the age and ability of those involved.
- The concern will be recorded and passed on to the appropriate staff member.
- Parents/guardians of those involved will be informed where appropriate.
- Follow-up will take place to check whether the behaviour has stopped.
📋 Identifying if Bullying Behaviour Has Occurred
The school considers three key questions:
- Is the behaviour targeted at a specific student or group?
- Is the behaviour intended to cause physical, social or emotional harm?
- Is the behaviour repeated, or likely to be repeated or shared?
If the answer to each question is yes, the behaviour is addressed using the Bí Cineálta Procedures. If not, the behaviour may still be addressed under the school’s Code of Behaviour.
👨👩👧 How Parents/Guardians Can Help
- Listen calmly if your child tells you about a concern.
- Reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you.
- Contact the school early.
- Encourage your child not to retaliate online or in person.
- Keep evidence of online behaviour where possible.
- Support respectful language and behaviour at home and online.
- Work in partnership with the school to restore safety and relationships.
🤝 Support for Students
Students who experience, witness or display bullying behaviour may need support. The school may provide support through:
- Year Head support.
- Guidance support.
- Student Support Team.
- Check-and-connect or other school-based supports.
- Restorative and relationship-building approaches where appropriate.
- External agency support where needed.
🚫 Please Avoid
- Ignoring concerns or hoping they will go away.
- Encouraging retaliation.
- Public posting about the concern on social media.
- Contacting other children directly.
- Sharing screenshots widely.
- Delaying contact with the school.
💡 In Simple Terms
- Contact the school early if you have a bullying concern.
- Every concern is taken seriously.
- The school will listen, record, respond and follow up.
- Parents/guardians are important partners in preventing and addressing bullying.
- We all play a part in a kind school.
📞 Contact the School
If you have a concern, please contact the school office. Your query will be directed to the appropriate staff member.
Email: info.elphin@gretb.ie
Phone: 071 9635031