Hello everyone, Mrs Carpineta here! As you already know, next week is 'Anti-Bullying week'. This year's theme, in conjunction with the Anti-Bullying Alliance, is 'Make a Noise About Bullying'. The focus is on teaching children to be an up-stander not a bystander! We want children to speak out if they experience bullying themselves or witness someone else experiencing it. We want our children to identify, speak out and help stop bullying.

 

During the week, children will reflect on what bullying is and isn't. Everyone falls out with friends from time to time, so they will be reminded that bullying is more than just someone being mean or unkind once; bullying is when someone is unkind to you repeatedly and on purpose. 

 

We will look at the different types of bullying and equip children with the skills to stand up to a bully- not by retaliating but by ignoring where possible, being firm, staying calm and reporting to a trusted adult. We will remind children to reflect on the support network they have available to them in school, at home and from outside services, such as ChildLine and the NSPCC. The important thing to remember is that we must all speak out about bullying. Make a noise about bullying to put an end to it!

 

We are so lucky at St Joseph's to have such a wonderful and caring community, so this year we are doing something new. I am very excited to introduce the roles of 'Anti-bullying Ambassadors' within our school! Children from Year 3 upwards will be able to put themselves forward for one of these very important roles. Two children from each class will be selected, by their peers, to represent their class.

Our newly selected Anti-bullying Ambassadors will:

* be keen to help keep our school a 'bully-free zone',

* help others to identify when bullying is happening

* be willing to intervene calmly, but only where possible,

* encourage children to speak to a trusted adult

* be a sensible, approachable, supportive and effective listener so that others know they can talk to them for help, if they are experiencing bullying,

* inform a trusted adult, class teacher or myself, of all incidents of bullying.

 

If your child feels that this sounds like them, then encourage them to come forward to become an Anti-bullying Ambassador! Any child that wants to undertake the role will be required to share with their class, why they think they will be an effective ambassador and then the rest of the class will vote for 2 candidates. Those successfully selected will be announced as St Joseph's first ever Anti-Bullying Ambassadors at Celebration assembly next Friday!

 

Also, just a reminder that Anti-bullying week starts, as always, with Odd Socks Day on Monday. Children can come in wearing odd socks, as bright and colourful as they want, to celebrate how special and unique every single one of them are!

 

Below I have added, a link to a very handy parent and carer booklet from the Anti-bullying Alliance to offer support and guidance on how to identify if your child is being bullied and what to do when dealing with bullying. Remember, it takes an entire school community of teachers, children and families to ensure we are a bully free zone. We can all make a noise to end bullying!

 

https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/attachments/Anti-Bullying%20Week%202023%20-%20Parent%20Pack%20FINAL.pdf Parent and cared pack.

 

Look out for my next news post on Friday, which will contain lots of photos from the week and the announcement of our first ever Anti-bullying Ambassadors! 

 

Have a wonderful weekend, 

 

Mrs Carpineta.