The anti-bullying policy has been developed and updated over a number of years and reflects our committment to all our students. We aim to instill in or students the importance of their responsibilities as well as their rights.
Click here for the anti-bullying policy.
AB1
In order to deal with any incident or alleged bullying behaviour we have developed a number of report sheets to document the issue and make the school aware of any student difficulties. These can be downloaded and should be returned to the named person at the end of the report form or put into the confidential report box located in the library.
Form AB1 Parent/Guardian Report
Form AB1 Targeted Student Report
Form AB1 Bystander Report
AB2
The following report should be completed by any staff member in relation to any incident or alleged bullying behaviour and returned to the Year Head / Assistant Year Head.
Form AB2 Staff Report
Friendship Week
Dominican College has a proud tradition of organising special lessons and activities for students as part of our annual "Friendship Week". During "Friendship Week" we aim:
- To educate people about bullying and how to avoid it and/or deal with it
- To reinforce the fact that we have a policy in place and what it includes
- To promote an atmosphere of respect and tolerance amongst the school community
- To provide an opportunity for the students to "bond" in a fun way
- To help students to understand the importance of friendship.
Friendship Week 2018
The theme for Friendship Week 2018 is ‘Respect Yourself, Respect Each Other’. This year we decided to carry out our Friendship and Anti-Bullying programme a little differently. In September, we had our Friendship Week, focusing on making friends, the importance and challenges of friendships and team building. The school was abuzz with activities – from 5th Year creating towers using spaghetti and marshmallows to TYs putting together giant puzzles.
On Thursday 27th September, we held our first ever Electric Dominican – Ireland’s first school festival! Talent, energy and enthusiasm were all in abundance as the students and staff celebrated belonging to our school community. The atmosphere was boosted by the wonderful display of colour and fantastic music – all in all, a great success!
On Friday, all year groups abandoned classes for the day in favour of fun and team building! The 1st Year Breakfast was thoroughly enjoyed by students and their parents/guardians alike. 2nd Years got their creative juices flowing by designing and making wonderful outfits – made entirely out of junk. Their theme was ‘Women of History’ and the judges were really wowed by the results! 3rd Years took the DART to Dalkey and stepped back in time to tour a medieval castle, getting a taste of a very different life. TYs got competitive with laser tag and bowling. 5th Years went to Portmarnock Beach and created some truly spectacular sand sculptures – and enjoyed some well-deserved ice-cream! For the first time this year, 6th Years had their own Friendship Week trip – the hike from Greystones to Bray was enjoyed by all – almost as much as the ice-cream at the end!
In November we held an Anti-Bullying Week. We decided to make this a separate week this year to highlight how seriously the school treats any bullying issue and to allow students to reflect on both their own actions and the actions of others. A number of speakers came to the school – John Wills spoke to 2nd Years about cyber-bullying, Dr. Stephen Minton spoke to 5th Years about on-line safety and the Students’ Union of DCU spoke to 6th Years about life after secondary school. A poster competition was announced during the week, allowing students the opportunity to highlight the dangers of bullying and how help can be sought. Throughout this week, students were alerted again to the Anti-Bullying policy of the school and how to get help if they need it.
We truly hope all students enjoyed and benefitted from these activities – all designed to make our school a more secure and pleasant environment for all!
Friendship Week 2015:
Numerous activities and lessons were arranged for students in all year groups. The First Year students hosted a breakfast in school with their parents along with a colour themed picnic and a treasure hunt in Botanic Gardens. The focus of their lessons was on the characteristics of a good friend and the transition from primary to post-primary school.
The Second Year students attended a presentation from John Wills (Barnardos) on the theme of cyber bullying. The Second Year students had a fun day out in Collins Barracks where their marching in Clarkes Square entertained all visitors and staff. It was a fun and educational trip for all involved.
The Third Year students attended a very informative presentation from the Community Garda Colm Tracy on the theme of personal safety and online safety. This presentation was fun but informative particularly in relation to posting images and content online. They also had a fun day in Dalkey Castle and completed a treasure hunt around Dalkey village.
The TY students showed their creative sides in their Junk Couture fashion show and burned off excess energy in Jump Zone. They used the iPads as part of their lessons on cyber safety.
The Fifth Year students attended two presentations from Jigsaw Mental Health Services and Denise Murphy from St Vincent’s Hospital Fairview on the topic of mental wellbeing. Fifth year students had fun with bubble soccer and sand sculpting on the Thursday.
Finally the Sixth Years were very interested in a presentation from Aoife Ní Shúilleabháin Welfare Officer USI. They also completed the “Beat the Blues” programme provided by Aware. The Sixth Year students attended the Higher Options Conference on Thursday.
On Tuesday the school held a fundraiser called “Walk in my Shoes” for St Patricks Mental Health Services. Students and staff wore two different shoes or socks to show empathy towards our peers. A total of €645 was collected. Thanks to everyone for taking part.
Finally to bring a very successful week to a close we held giant dominoes in the school gym. Students had decorated their domino during the week with a positive message about friendship. All 720 blocks were lined up and Laura Montgomery was selected to knock the first domino. Three students correctly guessed the duration for all 720 blocks to fall as 1minute 23seconds. Great fun was had by all involved.
Thanks to everyone for taking part in a great week. See the gallery section of the website for photos. Please remember that our no tolerance policy on bullying behaviour continues throughout the year and students need to report bullying behaviour to an adult.
2013 Friendship Week:
This year a number of visiting guest speakers have been arranged. Garda Richard Carolan will speak on the topic of Personal Safety to Third Year students. Mr. John Wills (Barnardos) will speak to the Fifth Year students on the topic of cyber bullying. The Sixth Year students will learn about bullying in the workplace and student support in third level from Dr Stephen Minton and Ms Lorna Finnegan (DCU SU). In conjunction with the visiting speakers, the teachers in Dominican College will facilitate meaningful discussion amongst the students on identifying and considering the impact of bullying behaviour.
A part of the rationale for "Friendship Week" is to provide students with an opportunity to bond in a fun way, various trips/activities are organised across all year groups on Thursday 19th September.
- First Year students will have breakfast with their parents in school and then will go to "Tolka Park" and "Botanic Gardens".
- The Second Year students will go to the zoo.
- Third Year students will go to "Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre".
- The TY students will create costumes and put on a fashion show in school.
- Fifth Year students will go to "Dollymount Strand" and "Omniplex Coolock".
- Finally the Sixth Year students will attend the "Higher Options Conference".
We hope everyone enjoys friendship weekend that the effects of this special week last throughout the year.
Lorriane Collins (Friendship Week Co-ordinator)