Tong Primary School

In Tong School, the staff take a positive attitude towards behaviour, encouraging pupils to develop responsible, social attitudes, good manners, honesty, self-control and consideration for others.

We teach our pupils to abide by the school rules because they are important to the health and safety of themselves and others.

We give positive recognition to pupils who are behaving responsibly. In the upper school, pupils are encouraged to take tasks of responsibility within the day to day organisation of the school.

We expect our pupils’ behaviour to be a credit to their families, the school and the community, both in the precints of the school and while travelling to and from the school.

When any pupil fails to follow the school rules or where misbehaviour occur, each incident is considered by the class teacher or the head teacher. Pupils may receive a verbal reprimand, a relevant punishment exercise or loss of privileges as a result of misbehaviour.

Where persistent misbehaviour occurs, discussion between parents and head teacher or class teacher takes place with the aim of ensuring that the school and parents are working together to find a solution.

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We encourage our pupils to approach the head teacher and/or class teacher with any worries or problems encountered in the school environment and to report any incidents of a bullying nature. We also encourage them to tell an adult - parent, friend or even another pupil who may bring the problem to the attention of someone who may be able to help.

We urge parents to inform the school if their child is being upset by the behaviour of other pupils in the school so that the matter may be discussed and the apparent problem resolved.

We endeavour to create an anti-bullying ethos in the school through school assembly, RME class discussion and through instilling caring values in our interactions with one another. An aspect of the on-going ‘circle-time’ throughout the school, ensures that pupils are given the opportunity of ‘talking things through.’

Children are made aware that bullying may be:

physical bullying - pushing, kicking, hitting, punching and any form of violence.

verbal bullying - name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing, threats.

emotional bullying - excluding (not speaking to) tormenting eg hiding books, unpleasant gestures, ridicule, humiliation.

racist, cultural bullying - gestures, comments, graffiti.

sexual bullying - unwanted physical contact, suggestive written or verbal comments.

Staff are made aware of possible signs to look out for, although it is important to realise that there may be reasons other than bullying for these signs.

Possible signs are:

fear of travelling to and from school, either on foot or by bus.

fear of being around the school at breaks and lunchtime.

poor attendance, truancy.

loss of books, jotters, school bags.

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underachievement.

unexplained bruises, scratches, torn clothes.

becoming withdrawn, anxious - showing signs of being unhappy for no apparent reasons

Teachers will be vigilant, acknowledge any signs of distress which may indicate bullying, isolation, unexpected deterioration in work, insecurity, poor unexplained attendance and even health problems.

Teachers will take children’s complaints seriously, record alleged incidents, inform the parents/guardians of the parties involved, discuss the matter with all parties involved and monitor the situation until the matter is resolved.

Refer to: Action Against Bullying

Supporting Schools Against Bullying

Bullying, A Positive Response

(available from Staffroom Resource Library)

‘Don’t Pick on Me’

‘Bullying’

‘Racism’

‘Dealing with Bullying’

(available from class library)

Zeto and the Gorgon Warriors (P5,6,7)