Mount Saint Agnes school has launched a school-wide anti-bullying campaign which has brought to light seven cases now being investigated.

MSA teacher and anti-bullying co-ordinator Geraldine Boot said the campaign was launched on January 5 and has seen students using drop boxes to make complaints.

She said a couple of incidents of bullying had sparked the idea as the school aimed to tackle an age-old problem head on.

?We didn?t want to see it as part of a wishy-washy ?discipline problem?. Let?s stop it right now.?

The campaign was kicked off with an emotional and thought-provoking special assembly where students and staff shared experiences of being on both sides of bullying.

Clear definitions of bullying were explained. They include persistent mental abuse, name calling and shunning of victims.

She said: ?The special assembly made a big impact upon the students and made them think hard.

?Many students feel helpless about dealing with bullying and fear telling someone about it, either because they think nothing will be done or because they fear violent repercussions.?

P.c. Mark Proctor warned students about legal sanctions against bullying.

He said most bullying offences were covered by current law including offensive words and behaviour and assault but he said court would be a last resort.

Ms Booth said: ?Both P.c. Proctor and the school administration have emphasised the support they will give to students who report bullying and according to our new policy, the penalties against bullies who take revenge are severe.

?Since our assembly our system has started rolling successfully. Meetings have been held with key students and letters have been sent home where necessary.

?The more students see action being taken the more they will have faith that bullying can be stopped.?

She admitted it was early days but she said so far children were taking it seriously.

?They could have ridiculed it but they were very, very affected by the presentation.?

The policy involves a three-step process where bullies are sent to Ms Booth and their parents are written to. If it continues parents are brought in to meet Principal Judith Rollo and P.c. Proctor might be called in. Expulsion is the last resort.

P.c. Proctor, who is schools resource officer for CedarBridge and Berkeley, said public schools also have a bullying policy in their code of conduct.

?But I think far more needs to be done to protect the welfare and safety of students in and out of school.

?I wholeheartedly support MSA?s new policy. I know just how serious the bullying issue is. I want students to know the law takes it very seriously.

?I work with other schools and would very much like to see anti-bullying policies like MSA?s being set up in schools across the Island.?

?You don?t want to see a juvenile in court, it does happen, but if we can deal with it and change behaviour that?s the way to go.?He said the psychological effects of bullying can last into adulthood

?Bullying is defined as targeting another student with threatening and/or repetitive, negative actions resulting in a feeling of fear or intimidation.

?Those caught offending are subject to reprimands, loss of privilege, in or out of school suspension while their parent or guardian is also told and mediation used.

?Those continuing to bully get suspension, counselling, a parent/guardian conference and can be referred to the Police. Persistent re-offenders can end up being referred to a programme and expelled.