Posted on: December 2nd 2016
Anti-bullying Week 2016
The week beginning 14th November was Anti-bullying week. The teachers dedicated some time over the course of the week to focus on this very important topic and ensure that the children have a clear understanding of how to tackle bullying. Please see below for an outline of what the children did.
Infant Community:
For anti-bullying week the Infant Community children have been listening to stories in a group. They have listened to ‘Hands are not for hitting’ and ‘Feet are not for kicking’. We have been discussing with the children about being kind to our friends and only using our hands and feet for doing nice things, like waving hello and goodbye and using our feet to kick a ball or jump into piles of leaves.
Nursery:
As part of anti-bullying week we used group time each day to read one of the books, provided for us by Ms. Burke, and talk about the ideas in them. We repeated the refrain "kind hands, kind words" throughout these groups. We know this was effective as some of our parents have mentioned that it has been repeated at home. In the Montessori environment we regularly use our Grace and Courtesy groups to talk about respect with the children: respect for one another and respect for ourselves.
Reception:
During anti-bullying week the children had an exciting visit from their buddies. The children thought about what it means to bully someone and ways we can stop bullying in schools. The children then worked together to create an anti-bullying poster.
Form 1:
In Form 1, we read the story 'Amazing Grace' by Mary Hoffman. We used the Core Values to reflect on the characters' actions.
We have learnt that Grace was bullied by Raj and Natalie. After reading the story, we decided to take action and write a letter to Grace to tell her how proud we are with how she dealt with the bullies and how she remained resilient.
Also, we created anti bullying posters to raise awareness.
Form 2:
In Form 2 we focussed on the role of the bystander. We received a letter from Hansel (from the story Hansel and Gretel) and he told us that Gretel was having some trouble with some girls at her new school. He asked us if we had any advice for him on how to help his sister. We were able to help by giving him advice like, tell an adult, say no and stand together against the bully, speak to someone and ask for help.
Form 3:
Form 3 took part in the Lego tower challenge. The children had one minute to build a structure using only Lego. Sophie and Daisy managed to build a tower that was 78cm tall, whilst Jones and Luqa managed to use 54 bricks for their structure. The children showed great resilience when building their towers. Well done Form 3!
Form 4:
Form 4 wrote Anti-bullying Haikus in their English lessons. We thought about how it feels to be bullied and actions people can take to stop bullying happening. Have a look at some of our Haikus.
Form 5:
Form 5 began the week by looking at children's poems based on the theme of anti- bullying, namely 'Boy at the Back' and 'Identity'.
We discussed the feelings conveyed in the poems and then progressed to write our own poems. After much discussion we then also wrote our own diary entries based upon this theme.
We would like to share with you, an example of one of the poems written.
Views
Often when we think of bully’s, our mind goes to victims,
But why do bullies bully or is it really bullying?
A bully may bully for the fun of it to see others cower,
Or maybe they’re bullied themselves and would like more power,
Over something, someone smaller than them, although it seems not right,
how maybe, maybe it wasn’t the bully who starts each fight.
Or going back to the victim, should they be afraid?
Of course we understand bully’s games played.
If only we could understand the bully’s feelings too
Soon we could do it, find out each person’s view.
Difficulties often pointed at the victim here.
If only the world was nicer, everyone was peers.
Each day a bully strikes someone, someone smaller, weaker
And still the bully catches them, the victim getting meeker.
Who does the bully pick on? Who and why, why?
If only they could make friends, or at least just say hi.
And so to conclude up my thoughts, tie them in a bow,
I have something to tell you, you really ought to know.
A bully is a bully we must explain to them, bullying is wrong so don’t
BULLY EVER AGAIN!
By Amelie Rosner
Form 6:
In Form 6 we discussed the importance of awareness along with how to overcome difficult situations, who to talk to, what bullying is (and isn’t) and some of the changes to the way bullying occurs as you get older and become more independent. During PSHE we worked together to create awareness posters using an app on the iPads.
