The Action

The team worked with their school management, teachers, parents, students, Parents Association and Board of Management. They also sought advice, guidance and research from DCU Anti Bullying Unit (Mona O’Moore and Liam Challenor), Pat Courtney Anti Bullying Service, Barnardos, Childline/ISPCC, Sticks and Stones Humorfit Drama Company. They collaborated with local primary schools and pre-schools in the area, hosted the Young Americans and the local Community Garda.

The team distributed 500 surveys to students and parents and compiled a parent’s pack an information booklet, skills leaflet, helpcard and a bookmarker. They organised Friendship Week in their school with talks, workshops and competitions (poetry, art and slogan). They interviewed bullying victims, parents and Linda Stevens Clinical Psychologist in their school. They created Anti Bullying Stand Up lesson plans, resources and posters and used social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat) to convey their message. 

The Impact

The team’s future plan is to professionally publish a parent’s pack and have the National Post Primary Parents Association endorse it. They would also like to develop bystander/upstander material for the new Wellbeing Course at Junior Cycle and become 5th year mentors to 1st year students.