Wristbands Beat Down Bullies

Original article By Lucy Lynch

CHILDREN and teachers aim to beat the bullies in a high-profile campaign at Warwickshire schools.

They are making extra efforts to tackle the problem during anti-bullying week which starts today.

School heads and Warwickshire County Council education bosses will be wearing blue wrist bands and encouraging pupils to adopt the week’s slogan: “We’re buddies not bullies.”

And on Friday, hundreds of pupils at the county’s schools will show their support by swopping school uniform for all-blue outfits.

Among schools supporting the drive is Shrubland Street Community Primary School in Shrubland Street, Leamington, where head Pat Dorling will be sporting a blue wrist band and encouraging all pupils to come to school wearing blue on Friday.

She said: “It is important to offer support to both the victim and the bullies. It is important for all children to be confident and safe, and to feel that they can establish themselves as individuals without having to hurt anyone else.”

Stuart Hallahan, head at English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School in High Street Hillmorton, Rugby, said: “A lot of children knew what the blue wristband I am wearing meant, which shows that they are aware of the issue.

“We don’t have a bullying problem at the school thanks to a sophisticated anti-bullying policy which parents can see online.”

Sally Kaminski-Gaze, head of All Saints Church of England Primary School in Nuneaton said: “Anti-bullying week is about building selfesteem and helping children feel good about themselves so they can have positive relationships with people and learn to be tolerant towards others.”

Parents have been given advice on how to tackle bullying:

# Stay calm
# Listen carefully to what your child has to say
# Talk to the school
# If you are concerned about your child’s health talk to a GP
# If the bullying involved a criminal offence report it to the police