At Scoil Mhuire Brierhill, we use Restorative Practice as part of how we build a positive and respectful school community. Restorative Practice focuses on relationships — helping children to learn how their actions affect others and encouraging them to take responsibility in a supportive way.
When difficulties arise, the emphasis is on listening, understanding, and working together to repair harm and restore trust. To guide this process, staff and pupils use six simple questions:
- What happened?
- What were you thinking about at the time?
- What have you thought about it since?
- Who has been affected and in what way?
- How could things have been done differently?
- What do you think needs to happen next?
This approach helps children to:
- develop empathy and respect for others.
- resolve conflicts in a fair and constructive way.
- build stronger relationships with peers and staff.
- feel a greater sense of belonging within the school.
Yard Buddy Programme
As part of our restorative approach, Scoil Mhuire Brierhill runs a Yard Buddy Programme. Yard Buddies are pupils who volunteer and receive training to help other children resolve minor disagreements during yard time, using restorative questions to guide the process.
Restorative Practice complements our Bí Cineálta initiative and other wellbeing programmes, creating a school culture where kindness, respect, and inclusion are at the heart of everyday life.
