One of the key issues facing many students about to start secondary is in relation to bullying. According to research done by Smyth, McCoy and Darmody, there is a genuine fear amongst first years around bullying. Boys seem to worry about it more than girls. Our school runs a programme every year as part of an ongoing endeavour to help first years settle in- It's called THE COOL SCHOOL PROGRAMME.
It focuses on what is bullying, how to tell, who to tell and other important areas like that. We find it makes a huge difference to our first years in helping them cement friendships and being more aware of how to handle bullying for themselves or a friend. It's an essential component in helping them settle in.
WHAT'S YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THIS AND DO YOU KNOW OF ANY OTHER INITIATIVES TAKEN BY SCHOOLS TO ENSURE FIRST YEARS SETTLE IN WELL?
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Hi Patricia, Loving the blog!
ReplyDeleteThe Cool School Programme is a great initiative in schools...bullying in a huge issue facing students and schools these days.A school I used to teach in had a Buddy system in place to help the 1st year stidents settle in. I found it worked very well and students were more inclined to tell fellow pupils there concerns more so than a teacher. The senior pupils acted as Buddies for the 1st year and every year the seniors were knocking on the door looking to take part.
Evelyn
Hi Patricia,
ReplyDeleteI find The Cool School Programme an excellent initiative in school. I think it opens up the issue to students and informs them of the procedure of making a report if they find themselves in a bullying situation. Most importantly it highlights the positive in how to be a good friend with the connected Friendship Week. For a number of young people I think they do not realise the impact of how they act towards one another and how it can sometimes be hurtful. This programme allows for reflection on this area also.
Hi Paricia ,the transition from primary to secondary can be an anxious time for both parents and students .Suddenly the students are no longer the senior people in the school . The size of the new building , the variety of classrooms and the different teachers can be very daunting for them.
ReplyDeleteOn the first day we inroduce our new first years to their Tutors and Dean.The 6th years bring them on a tour of the school . We operate a buddy system which has been very successful in helping new students feel safe and cared for . In September our Home School Liason teacher invites the parents to an informal gathering in the school . This is always a worthwhile and positive meeting. Often it is the parents who are more worried about the transition than the students
Thanks Louise. The buddy system or the big sister-little sister programme, as we call it in our school, we find particularly invaluable. I like the idea also of the informal gathering in September as it would give parents a chance to air their grievances,if any or talk to a teacher if their child is having a particular difficulty. Thanks again for the comments. Patricia
ReplyDeleteCatriona,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment on the Cool School Programme. It will be part of my presentation on this topic on Sat 12th Dec. We find it invaluable in our school,not only in terms of education, but also in helping the girls understand each other better. More partiucularly it helps with the first years, many of whom fear bullying. They understand it a bit better and find out who they need to talk to if such a thing happens. Patricia