Minister Foley hosts inaugural Cineáltas showcase and best practice event to recognise anti-bullying initiatives in schools

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD is today hosting the inaugural Cineáltas showcase and best practice event at Croke Park to recognise best practice school community initiatives to combat bullying.

Pupils and students from representative schools across the country are highlighting the work they have done to help ensure that no child or young person has to experience bullying and endure the impacts of bullying, which can be life-changing and lasting.

Examples of Cineáltas Best Practice presentations are also being made to individuals or groups within school communities who have shown best practice in their endeavours to prevent and address bullying and promote equality, inclusion, diversity and wellbeing in their school community.

Among those being recognised for their endeavours to prevent and address bullying behaviour are:

• Students of Cross and Passion College, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, who formed a Buddy Club to encourage integration and inclusion between students in mainstream and autism special classes through weekly get-togethers and events.
• Pupils of Togher Girls National School, Co. Cork, where a pupil took on the role of Junior Supporting Traveller and Roma Ambassador and worked tirelessly to highlight Roma and Traveller culture within the school.
• Students of Saint Patrick's Cathedral Grammar School, Dublin, where students have demonstrated outstanding leadership in preventing and addressing bullying, including through liaising with Webwise and the DCU Anti-Bullying Centre.
• Pupils of Scoil Mhuire, Clarinbridge, Co. Galway, who developed a 'Helping You Help Yourself' action plan to help build resilience and empower pupils with easy responses they can use when someone tries to be disrespectful.

Minister Foley said:

"It is of utmost importance to me that every child and young person can feel safe, happy and supported throughout their time at school. For those who experience bullying, however, we know that it can rob them of their self-esteem and self-worth and leave them with effects that endure.

"Today's event is a celebration of the innovative methods that our school communities are using to help eradicate bullying behaviour from their environment. I think the innovation on display truly is a reflection of the excellent work that is happening in schools right across the country.

"It gives me great pleasure today to have the opportunity to meet with children, young people and school communities who are at the heart of Cineáltas. While each school community across the country is different, each is working in their own unique and meaningful way to make sure they are inclusive, warm and welcoming to all."

The Department of Education Inspectorate outlined in its Perspectives on Bullying Behaviour report published in June that while schools are seen as mostly positive environments by parents, teachers, and students, some students continue to be impacted by the effects of bullying. The Cineáltas showcase and best practice event has been set up to recognise the work of all schools striving to tackle and prevent bullying in their school communities. Cineáltas is the Department of Education's whole-education approach to preventing and addressing bullying behaviour in schools.

In addition to having the opportunity to showcase their initiatives, attendees at the Cineáltas Showcase event taking place at Croke Park today will hear from Minister Foley, Department of Education Secretary General Bernie McNally and a number of students who will take part in a panel discussion with Minister Foley.

Notes to Editors

Examples of Cineáltas Best Practice Presentations:

The categories for the sharing of Examples of Cineáltas Best Practice presentations are:

• Community Partnership
• Innovative Initiative
• Staff Leadership
• Student Leadership
• Student Empowerment

Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying

Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying is the Department of Education's whole-education approach to preventing and addressing bullying behaviour in schools. It is dedicated to the prevention and addressing of bullying, cyber bullying, racist bullying, gender identity bullying and sexual harassment, among other areas, in schools.

Cineáltas is centred on a child rights-based approach and provides a collective vision and clear roadmap for how the whole education community and society can work together to prevent and address bullying behaviour in our schools.

Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying commits the Department's Inspectorate to publishing an annual report based on feedback from children, young people, school staff and parents. The 2023 report Perspectives on Bullying Behaviour summarises insights from students, parents, teachers, and principals on the effectiveness of anti-bullying strategies in Irish schools and is available at this link .

The implementation plan for Cineáltas, published in April 2023, committed to implementing each of the 61 actions contained in Cineáltas within a five-year period. Significant progress has been made in implementing the actions. Cineáltas Action Plan on Bullying and its implementation plan can be found at this link .

The new Bí Cineálta Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour for Primary and Post-Primary Schools were published in June. The procedures can be found at this link .

Information seminars will be delivered to school leaders throughout October to provide guidance, whilst Oide will also be delivering full-day professional learning events for teaching staff on the updated procedures from November.

Other key actions that have been implemented include:

• Piloting a programme of counselling supports for primary schools
• Establishing a Student Participation Unit in the Department of Education to ensure student voice is included in the development of department policy
• Developing and piloting a new inspection model for wellbeing promotion in schools
• Expanding student support teams in post-primary schools and piloting student support teams in primary schools.
• Introducing an updated SPHE short course at Junior Cycle and approving a new SPHE/RSE curriculum at Senior Cycle