Weekly Message from the Principal

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 therefore we have 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 this term is to educate the boys and parents on these dangers by providing workshops and presentations by the Cybersafe team, this will be happening next week. The parents talk will be on Thursday the 30th of January at 7.30pm and I would like to thank the 127 parents who have already signed up to attend the talk on Thursday evening.

However, as a school-principal, I also must be realistic about children’s behaviour.

Groups of young boys need firm direction, tight supervision and reprimanding, where necessary. They are not angelic, they are human – and as such, have the potential to be hurtful and uncaring. It is our duty to foster tolerance and care in their young lives and we can best do that by ‘example’ and by recognising and dealing with unacceptable behaviour when we see it.

Remember, good Parenting (and Teaching) requires clarity of purpose and discipline. It is only by confronting the realities of the human condition that we can improve it. Our boys deserve it!

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people

Spencer Johnson