Notre Dame Policies

Bullying Prevention & Intervention

Bullying is typically a form of repeated, persistent, aggressive behaviour that is directed at an individual and is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear, distress and /or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem, or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context where there is real or perceived power imbalance.

Bullying has been identified as a widespread problem with serious implications for students, schools, and the entire community. Bullying is predominantly a learned behaviour, which must be addressed by teaching students to build positive relationships, and develop effective communication strategies. Educators will endeavour to create opportunities to model and encourage behaviours and interactions that help create a classroom and positive school climate.

Bullying will not be accepted on school property, at school-related activities, on school buses, or in any other circumstances where engaging in bullying will have a negative impact on the school climate.

Positive School Climate

A positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, comfortable, and accepted. To help achieve a positive school environment in their schools, the Niagara Catholic District School Board and its schools will actively promote and support positive behaviours that reflect their Catholic Gospel values. They should also endeavour to ensure that parents and members of the broader community are involved in the school community. The Niagara Catholic District School Board and its schools will actively promote a positive school climate in their Schools.

The following are some characteristics of a positive school climate

  • Students and staff feel safe and are safe.
  • Healthy and inclusive relationships are promoted.
  • Students are encouraged to be positive leaders in their school community
  • All partners are actively engaged
  • Bully prevention messages are reinforced through programs addressing discrimination based on such factors as age, race, sexual orientation, gender, faith, disability, ethnicity, and socio-economic disadvantage.
  • Improvement of learning outcomes for all students is emphasized.

Bullying may include but is not limited to

Verbal Physical
Name-Calling/Put Downs Hitting
Insults Kicking
Racist Comments Spitting
Harassment Pushing
Sexist Comments Inappropriate Gestures
Teasing/Taunting Tripping
Threatening /Extortion Stealing
Social/Emotional Technological
Relational Bullying Cyber Bullying
Manipulating Friendships Internet Misuse
Gossip Text Messages
Exclusion Digital Photos
Intimidation Chat Lines
Written Notes Websites
Making False Statements Telephone (3 Way Calling)

In recognition of the importance of addressing bullying, which can have a significant impact on student safety, learning, and the school climate, bullying has been added to the list of infractions for which suspension must be considered.

Prevention and Intervention Strategies

Niagara Catholic Schools and Staff are expected to

  • Provide a safe, caring, and supportive environment that upholds our Gospel values and encourages positive relationships between students, staff and parent.
  • Emphasize intervention strategies that are preventative in nature.
  • Model appropriate language and actions for students.
  • Increase awareness and understanding of the dynamics of bullying and develop a school-wide plan.
  • Maintain an environment where bullying will be addressed age appropriately in a manner characterized by respect, responsibility and civility.
  • Use resources that will assist in developing age-appropriate conflict resolution skills, social skills, positive relationships, and discourage bullying as unacceptable behaviours.
  • Encourage students to report incidents of bullying; and support, monitor and act upon all reported incidents, to ensure the safety of all students.
  • Recognize that some bullying behaviours may be more serious and may require more comprehensive intervention.
  • Keep open lines of communication between the home, school parish, and community members.

Students are expected to

  • Promote a safe, caring and positive environment for all by developing an awareness of bullying issues.
  • Refuse to bully others or to be a bystander to acts of bullying.
  • Report all acts of bullying that they may experience or observe to appropriate school personnel for assistance.
  • Assist and co-operate in the implementation of school-wide bully prevention initiatives.

Parents, Visitors, Community Members are expected to

  • Promote a safe, caring and positive environment for all by developing an awareness of bullying issues.
  • Inform the school if bullying is suspected.
  • Encourage their children to discuss any incidents of bullying and reinforce the need to speak out.
  • Support the school when resolving identified incidents of bullying.
  • Support the school through Catholic School Councils, in promoting local school bully prevention initiatives.
  • Support the school in training and communication strategies for members of the school community

Current Legislation and the Provincial Code of Conduct require all schools in consultation with their Catholic School Councils, staff, students and parents to develop local Codes of Conduct. These locally developed Codes of Conduct shall be in compliance with the Ministry’s and the Board’s Code of Conduct. The Niagara Catholic District School Board requires that each school include and address the following bullying prevention statement in their local school Code of Conduct.

In keeping with the teachings of Christ, Notre Dame College School will strive to create a safe, caring and supportive school environment, free of bullying, for all members of the school community.