And now a word from 

Mrs Richards...

BULLY NO WAY WEEK 

The official week for Bully No Way Week was in August but at Parkdale Primary School we decided to incorporate it into a week in which we were able to consolidate the learning that has happened in Wellbeing Lessons this term.This week the SRC reps from each class have led the school in daily conversations about bullying, with a different focus for each day. 

DAY ONE – was a tuning in session.  Each class was lead through a conversation during which the overriding theme for Bully No Way Week was revealed; WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Be Bold. Be Kind. Speak Up. Everyone has the power to help stop bullying.  We revised what bullying is                               (ongoing, targeted, mean on purpose behaviour) and how we can work together to stop it. 

DAY TWO – Be Kind.  Small actions make a big impact. When students feel accepted and respected, regardless of status, background or achievements – when they feel like they belong – bullying is less likely to occur. Kindness can be as simple as saying hello, giving a compliment or standing with someone who feels alone.  Kindness does not just help the person you are helping but it also helps you. When we are kind it makes us feel good. It is also contagious! When we are kind to someone, they are more likely to be kind to someone else. At lunchtime, students were tasked with identifying acts of kindness and rewarding these with a green card. 

DAY THREE – Speak Up.  It takes courage to spark change. Bullying is everyone's responsibility. It takes a community to be brave and address bullying behaviours, within and beyond the school gate. Students can be bold, kind and take a stand to support others being bullied. in our school, we want a place where everyone can belong, a place that celebrates everyone, and where bullying is never accepted. That means that sometimes we are going to have to be brave and speak up when we see someone acting in a bullying way.  When we tell an adult that we have seen someone being bullied IT IS NOT TELLING TALES OR DOBBING OR SNITCHING, IT IS DOING THE RIGHT THING!!  Let’s remember, be a buddy not a bully. 

DAY FOUR - Think before you Post.   When you are playing online with friends or sending messages in chat groups. Think before you post or speak. Words matter – both in person and online. We should ask ourselves: Is it kind? Is it true? Would I like it if someone said this to me? It is still bullying if you continually target someone online and make them feel bad. This is definitely a ‘mean on purpose moment’.

DAY FIVE - this was a day to summarize all that we had discussed during the week and to emphasise the need to continue to BE BOLD, BE KIND, SPEAK UP every week and not just this week.