‘Change starts with us’ in Anti-Bullying Week at The Perse

19 Nov 2019

During Anti-Bullying Week at The Perse, the focus was on ‘change starts with us.’

The Perse Anti-Bullying Ambassadors (ABAs) encouraged everyone to get involved and think about what they could do. Pupils left chalk messages of support, giving words of encouragement and inspiration, and displayed a strong visual message by wearing odd socks to celebrate individuality.

Children and staff at the Prep showed their support by coming to school with wacky hairstyles, while Year 6 members of the Prep’s student council POD (Pupil Organised Democracy) were given training by the Upper ABAs on how they can join the battle against bullying.

Perse ABA co-ordinator James Hutchings said: “The Diana Award (the key programme organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance) defines bullying as ‘repeated negative behaviour that is intended to make others feel upset, uncomfortable or unsafe’.

“Anti-bullying is all about how to educate people so that they can identify situations where bullying is starting and do something to stop it before it even becomes bullying.

“The focus for me is always on what the pupils can do themselves as they are the ones who have real power to make a change in their community. Fostering a sense of community where people care about one another and are not afraid to stand up for a friend, or even someone they don’t know, helps prevent bullying occurring in the first place.”