Northern Ireland

Schools urged to register for anti-bullying week

Anna Denton-McComish; Cayden Smith; Maya Dogra; Beth McArt; Michael McVeigh and Adam Ferris from St Anne's PS, Dunmurry.
Anna Denton-McComish; Cayden Smith; Maya Dogra; Beth McArt; Michael McVeigh and Adam Ferris from St Anne's PS, Dunmurry. Anna Denton-McComish; Cayden Smith; Maya Dogra; Beth McArt; Michael McVeigh and Adam Ferris from St Anne's PS, Dunmurry.

SCHOOLS are being urged to register for a free resource pack designed to support Anti-Bullying Week.

The initiative runs from November 13 to 17 under the theme All Equal, All Different, All Together.

Anti-Bullying Week is coordinated by the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) and supported by Translink. Almost 700 schools and youth organisations across the north were involved last year.

Schools can register online to access a comprehensive free resource pack, which includes presentations, activity and assembly plans, project briefs and themed posters.

Rosanna Jack, NIABF regional anti-bullying coordinator, said the resources would be useful to those taking part.

"We are encouraging teachers, youth workers, parents and carers to speak with children and young people about this year's theme. The theme is designed to celebrate diversity, inclusivity and to promote acceptance of others through kindness both face-to-face and online," she said.

"All resources are designed to help stimulate conversation and debate, empowering children to know what bullying is; how to spot it and what to do should they or their friends experience bullying. Registration only takes a couple of minutes but could have a real impact on the lives and wellbeing of your young people."

St Anne's PS in Dunmurry was one of the winners of last year's Anti-Bullying Week creative competition.

Principal Michael Keenan said it was an important week in the school calendar.

"Corridors are awash with colourful posters. The classrooms, playgrounds and assembly halls buzz with children sharing anti-bullying messages through discussion, artwork, media work and presentations. The whole school community uses it as an opportunity to refocus minds on the important message that bullying of all kinds is wrong," he said.

:: To register for Anti-Bullying Week 2017 visit www.endbullying.org.uk by 5pm on Friday November 3.