Empathy, Courage and Kindness – The KiVa Programme
Bullying is an international problem (Olewas, 2010; Smith et al., 2004) with one in ten children worldwide reporting being bullied (Currie et al., 2012). Every school in Ireland is experiencing this problem both inside and outside of the classroom especially when you factor in mobile phones, Apps such as Tick Tock and online gaming. The question is - What can schools and parents do to counteract and address this problem?
Firstly we must educate ourselves on the issues surrounding bullying in schools and this is why we have started a relationship with Cybersafe Ireland who have already provided the staff with a short in-service on the risks of mobile phones, gaming and social Apps. The next step is to educate the boys and parents on these dangers by providing workshops and presentations by the Cybersafe team. Secondly with the approval and backing of the Junior School Board we have initiated the first steps in becoming a KiVa school. The next question is – What is the KiVa programme?
The word KiVa is an acronym for ‘Kiusaamista Vastaan’ which, translated, means ‘against bullying’ and also ‘kiva’ is a Finnish adjective for nice. The programme consists of two units of 10 structured lessons, each lasting approximately an hour-and-a-half. Typically, the lessons are split into two 45-minute lessons a month. Lessons cover being part of a team, learning about emotions, group interaction processes and group pressure. They also provide explanations about types of bullying, how it is influenced by the bystander, its consequences and how both individuals and the class as a group can reduce bullying. The lessons include: discussions (class and small groups), role-play, and videos of people talking about having been bullied, group work and whole class activities. Both Units 1 and 2 have online games linked with lesson topics that teach pupils through a paradigm of ‘I know, I can, I do’. The games can be played at school or at home.
KiVa posters are displayed throughout the school and yellow, high visibility, KiVa vests are worn by staff at break and lunchtimes to remind both pupils and staff that they are in a KiVa school. Parent involvement and support is encouraged and KiVa provides a public access website for parents and others interested to learn more about KiVa, bullying and how to support children to speak up about or stand against bullying. The programme promotes social skills, such as making friends, to support and protect a child from the effects of bullying. Most importantly the discrete teaching of the lifelong virtue of empathy provides children with the foundations for friendships, conflict resolutions and social responsibility.
I must thank the Board for financially supporting this very worthwhile initiative and look forward to the support, training and education of the boys, teachers and parents over the coming months and academic year in the KiVa programme.
Principal’s note – Empathy
I, as Principal, empathise with all of the supporters of the Irish rugby team who will face dejection and misery on Sunday the 22nd of September at 11am after you have witnessed the Braveheart rugby players of Scotland win their first game of the Rugby World Cup against Ireland.
