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Bullying is a serious issue which affects everyone, often having long-term and profound consequences. Some of the key values which bind our school community together are tolerance and respect for others, so we take a strong stance against all forms of bullying and stand in solidarity against those who try to bully others.
This year we expressed this through the dual interlinked themes of “Be an Upstander, not a Bystander” and “Lend a Hand”. We believe that everyone has a role to play in standing up to bullying and no one should be a “bystander” if they see someone being victimised or excluded. We can all “lend a hand” to those who may be victims of bullies.
We held several different exciting events and activities throughout the week to solidify these key themes. Across the school tutors and classroom teachers discussed ways to challenge bullying and strategies for becoming “upstanders” with pupils of all ages. Additionally, in Global Campus lessons in years 6-9, pupils explored UNCRC Articles 2, 12 and 19 which form the basis of the UN’s Anti-Bullying Day on May 4th every year and wrote and shared their responses with other pupils from our sister schools around the world. There was also an assembly held in primary to explore these themes in more depth.
Last, but certainly not least, was the centrepiece of the whole week: our “Lend a Hand” anti-bullying tree in the atrium. Pupils and staff from all across the school were encouraged to draw around their hand on coloured paper, cut out the shape and write messages of support for the victims of bullies and strategies to combat bullying. These “hands” were then affixed to the tree as “leaves” so our tree grew in size as the week progressed. It was truly a wonder to behold.
Thank you to everyone who was upstanding this week and lent a hand!