Last week was Anti-Bullying Week (Monday 13 November to Friday 17 November). The theme for this year was Make A Noise About Bullying which aims to empower pupils and teachers to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), who co-ordinate Anti-Bullying Week, issued a call to action:
‘Too often, we are silent when we see bullying take place, silent about the hurt bullying causes, and silent when we hear bullying dismissed as ‘just banter’. It doesn't have to be this way.
This Anti-Bullying Week let’s come together to have discussions about what bullying means to us, how banter can turn into something more hurtful, and what we can do to stop bullying. Together, we can make a difference and take a stand against bullying.’
The week began with Odd Socks Day on Monday 13 November where everyone, including pupils and staff, were encouraged to wear odd socks to school. The day provided an opportunity to encourage people to express themselves and to celebrate their individuality and what makes us all unique. And it certainly did not disappoint with some of the socks on display throughout the day!
Also ongoing throughout the week were challenges set for the pupils. Prizes were on offer and the challenges included:
- If you had £1 million, how would you use it to stop bullying?
- Design a hand(s) and write one thing on each finger that you would do to stop an act of bullying instead of being a bystander.
- Design a Superhero to help combat bullying.
- Colour the kindness words.
- Think of 50 ways to show kindness.
Year 9 pupil, Ed Murphy, was the winner of the first challenge where he wrote:
I would use this money to stop bullying by use the funding to create safe spaces and staff to run them so that people can come and talk to people. I would also help people who can't afford any help access it. I would do would be to donate large amounts of it to anti bullying charities. The final thing that I would spend the money on is going round to schools to raise awareness of anti-bullying.
Year 7 pupil, Millie Green, was the winner of the second challenge with her design of a hand while Year 10 pupil Zac Fisher won the Superhero design. Meanwhile, Year 7 pupil Ava English was the winner of the 50-idea challenge.
A special congratulations must also go to Millie and Zac who entered all the challenges throughout the week!
Leading on the initiative here at the College was Assistant Head (Pastoral), Mrs Dunn, who said:
‘Last week was Anti-Bullying Week and it was great to see pupils engaged with this through the Daily Reflection and Daily Challenges emailed to all pupils and staff every day.
Pupils took the time to reflect on anti-bullying week and were able to give their thoughts and ideas for the future when supporting this national campaign.
It was reported to me that many pupils were happy to chat with staff about their thoughts and discuss how they look out for each other.’
Make sure to check out the Flickr gallery below to see the socks on display for Odd Socks Day, as well as the artistic entries for the daily challenges.
