Pupils have learnt more about bullying and the impact that it may have on people’s lives, during a national week of action to tackle the issue.
Anti-Bullying Week, coordinated by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, took place from Monday 16 to Friday 20 November, with a theme of ‘make a noise about bullying.’
The week started with ‘Blue Monday’ – a name which is typically given to a day in January (usually the third Monday of the month) and is said to be the most depressing day of the year. During Anti-Bullying Week, the term was representative of children who suffer at the hands of bullies and who come to school each Monday fearful of what is going to be said or done to them that day. The children wore blue outfits in school to show their support for these anxious children all around the country.
Pupil, Ruby, said: “Lots of people had tear drops painted onto their faces pretending that they were crying because of bullying.”
Ellie added: “I thought it was a good idea to talk about bullying so that bullies would realise what they were doing was wrong. Also the people that are getting bullied would have the courage to talk to an adult or trusted friend who could sort it out.”
The aims of this year’s Anti-Bullying Week included the empowerment of children and young people to make a noise about bullying; to help parents and carers have conversations with their children about the issue and to equip teachers to respond effectively when children tell them they are being bullied.
To find out more about Anti-Bullying Week click here.
A week earlier, the children commemorated Children In Need on Friday 13 November by dressing as their favourite sports stars including footballers, dancers and horse riders. They each paid £1 to be donated to the cause.
Maddie said: “We invited the community to join us for our scrumptious lunch. We played two games of competitive bingo. My friend Jacob thought he had won but when the bingo caller checked the numbers he had misheard one of them. My other friend Mrs P also nearly won as well. It was a fun day and we raised money for Children In Need.”