Perse Anti-Bullying Ambassadors get involved in Diana Award event

19 Nov 2018

Tabbi Dodds (Upper Sixth) reflects on the Perse Anti-Bullying Ambassasors’ visit to Alexandra Palace for a day of workshops and panels organised by the Diana Award.

The day started with a question and answer panel with leading experts from many social media companies such as Instagram and Twitch, a member of the Department of Education and a commissioner from the Metropolitan Police. Difficult questions were asked and we learnt much from their answers. This was followed by workshops led by the likes of Cel Spellman and Monica Lewinsky.

I spent my morning doing a musical theatre workshop with some of the cast of the West End musical Everybody’s Talking about Jamie. While it was great fun dancing with anti-bullying ambassadors of all ages from across the country, we also learnt about being yourself and standing up against behaviour that is not acceptable.

Following lunch, which included the annual lunchtime dance party, the afternoon workshops commenced with Carrie Grant speaking to my group about celebrating differences and fighting bullying through owning our labels whatever they may be. Although she said that all bullying stems from hatred of differences, I would argue that it is not necessarily hatred, merely a lack of understanding, and that through education we can prevent bullying.

The day concluded in a showcase of the performance pieces created in the workshops, including dancing, singing, and improvisation, among so many others. A particular highlight was the performance by Twist and Pulse, a dance duo known from their time on Britain’s Got Talent. The finale was a release of biodegradable balloons in front of Alexandra Palace. It was an altogether enjoyable and entertaining day, where we all learnt a lot and have returned full of ideas to implement in school.