Restorative Practice

Fostering Fairness and Stronger Relationships: Restorative Practice at Our School

At Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed., Restorative Practice (RP) is a cornerstone of our wellbeing plan, reflecting our deep commitment to ensuring every student feels that issues are handled with fairness and understanding. We believe in building and maintaining positive relationships, and RP provides a powerful framework for achieving this.

To effectively implement this approach, we have established a dedicated Restorative Team within the school. Our staff members have benefited from comprehensive training in Restorative Practice, led by renowned expert Joe Power. Furthermore, we are dedicated to building sustainable expertise by training our own staff to become trainers, ensuring RP principles are deeply embedded within our school culture.

We understand the importance of introducing these concepts early. Our first-year students are actively taught about restorative circles and the use of restorative questions. This foundational knowledge empowers them to understand the impact of their actions, express themselves, and contribute to resolving conflicts constructively.

Restorative Practice is also a significant component of our Bí Cineálta procedures. The “Bí Cineálta” (Be Kind) framework, which guides our approach to preventing and addressing bullying behaviour, aligns seamlessly with the restorative ethos of repairing harm and rebuilding relationships. By integrating RP into these procedures, we aim to foster a school environment where empathy, accountability, and kindness are paramount, ensuring a supportive and respectful community for all.

Want to learn more about Restorative Practice?

 

Reading List

  • Ashe, F. (2009) ‘From Paramilitaries to Peacemakers: The Gender Dynamics of Community-Based Restorative Justice in Northern Ireland’ The British Journal of Politics and International Relations 11: 298-314.
  • Community Mediation Works (2010) The State of Anti-Social Behaviour in Working Class Communities Dublin: Community Mediation Works. www.iprt.ie/files/The_State_of_Anti_Social_Behaviour.pdf
  • Costello, B., Wachtel, J. & Wachtel, T. (2009). The Restorative Practices Handbook. Canada. International Institute for Restorative Practices.
  • Crawford, A. and T. Newburn (2003) Youth Offending and Restorative Justice: Implementing Reform in Youth Justice Cullompton, Devon and Portland, Oregon: Willan Publishing
  • Hopkins, Belinda. (2004) Just Schools, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, U.K.
  • Hopkins, Belinda. (2011) The Restorative Classroom Using Restorative Approaches to Foster Effective Learning, Optimus Education, London, U.K.
  • Nathanson, Donald L., (1992) Shame and Pride: Affect, Sex and the Birth of the Self, New York. Norton.
  • Roffey, Sue, (2006) Circle Time for Emotional Literacy, Sage Publiccation, London, U.K.
  • Sellman, Edward, Cremin, Hilary & Mc Cluskey, Gillean (2013) Restorative Approaches to Conflict in Schools, Routledge, U.K.
  • Shaw, G & A. Wierenga (2002) Restorative Practices Community Conferencing Pilot Evaluation. Melbourne, Australia: University of Melbourne.
  • Stowe, M. (2016). A Restorative Trail: Restorative Practice – opening up new capacities of hearts and minds in school communities. Journal of Mediation & Applied Conflict Analysis, 3 (1). pp. 34-47. ISSN 2009-7170. Available at https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/7032/7/MS-Restorative-2016.pdf
  • Stutzman Amstutz, Lorraine & Mullet, Judy, H., (2005) The Little Book of Restorative Discipline in Schools: Teaching Responsibility; Creating Caring Climates, Good Books, P.A., U.S.A.
  • Thorsborne, M. (2004). Restorative Practices in Classrooms. Buderim, Queensland: Marg Thorsborne.
  • Thorsborne, M. & Blood, Peta. (2013) Implementing Restorative Practice in Schools: A Practical Guide to Transforming School Communities, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, U.K.
  • Van Ness. D; A. Morris and G. Maxwell (2001) ‘Introducing Restorative Justice’ pp. 3-16, in A. Morris and G. Maxwell (eds.)
  • Restorative Justice for Juveniles: Conferencing, Mediation and Circles Oxford, UK and Portland, Oregon: Hart Publishing.
  • Zehr, H. (2002). The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Intercourse, PA: Good Books.

Web Sites

Childhood Development Initiative: www.twcdi.ie
ConnectRP Training and Consultancy: www.connectrp.ie
Restorative Practices Ireland: www.restorativepracticesireland.ie/
Restorative Practice Internationally: www.restorativepractice.org
Restorative Justice Council UK: www.restorativejustice.org.uk/
Teaching Restorative Practices with Classroom Circles: twittermathcamp.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/83364049/teaching
Safer Saner Schools: www.safersanerschools.org

Videos and Podcasts

Empathy: The Heart of Difficult Conversations | Michelle Stowe | TEDxTallaght https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UvDMQyBVLs
Rita Pierson: Every kid needs a champion | TED  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFnMTHhKdkw&t=3s
Brené Brown on Empathy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw&t=15s
Brené Brown on Blame https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZWf2_2L2v8
Restorative Problem Solving Circle in School https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vucxpu0_zoI
CDI Circles of Connection Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/4KhR4FHTj2JlrCCNUH8IpA