LIONHEART STUDENTS MAKE NOISE FOR ANTI-BULLYING WEEK AND CHILDREN IN NEED

This week, Lionheart schools have engaged both with Anti-Bullying Week, an annual initiative organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, and Children in Need. Both are popular occasions in the school calendar!

This year’s anti-bullying theme was “make a noise about bullying” and across the week our students certainly made themselves heard, taking part in a range of activities which emphasised our Trust-wide, zero-tolerance approach to bullying.

Similarly, schools’ support of Children in Need perfectly ties in with our ethos of inclusivity as, on Friday, they undertook sterling work to support those less fortunate.

Brocks Hill Primary School

Upon arriving into school on Monday morning, the Brocks Hill pupils flung their shoes to one side, showing off their vibrant and colourful collection of socks for Odd Socks Day. There were fluffy socks, stripy socks and bright pink socks; one eager pupil even dared to wear a pair of novelty Christmas socks! Joyous laughter filled the air as the children admired one another’s colourful footwear; it was a fun and engaging initiative that allowed them to understand the importance of inclusivity and recognise that we are all unique.

Focusing on this year’s theme of making noise, the school parliament also introduced a poetry competition. Each class were tasked with creating their own anti-bullying poem, with every child contributing a line. It was fantastic to see the children working together to produce some incredibly moving work.

Making a brief stop in Oadby before their stint in the Australian jungle later this month, Ant and Dec also arrived in school as part of a virtual NPSCC assembly. The video taught the children about the importance of staying safe and about when ‘banter’ becomes bullying.

For Children in Need on Friday, pupils came into school wearing something either spotty or yellow. They then worked up a sweat taking part in in the Joe Wickes ‘Bearpees’ challenge; all children in EYFS and Key Stage 1 performed five ‘bearpess’ each, whilst those in Key Stage 2 completed 10. The combined effort from all pupils ensured Brocks Hill smashed the 2000 target set by Joe himself!

Beauchamp City Sixth Form

Taking the time to listen to somebody, holding open the door, offering to buy somebody a drink or even cook them a meal. These were some of the ways in which Beauchamp City Sixth Form students were encouraged to spread kindness for Anti-Bullying Week this year.

On Friday, though, kindness was not on the menu for Mr McKenna and Mr Pemberton, who unfortunately drew the short straw and were bombarded by a plethora of wet sponges as the school also raised money for Children in Need. Unsurprisingly, the event proved extremely popular and despite being drenched come the end of breaktime, both teachers were smiling, recognising the significance of raising money for such a worthwhile cause.

The Cedars Academy

Music and noise radiated through the air at Cedars, with students participating in a competition to either write a poem, song or rap which promoted the key themes of anti-bullying. The winning entry was then performed on ‘Branching Out,’ the school’s very own community podcast.

Throughout the week, Mrs Sedgley held a range of assemblies. They were all focused on encouraging students to become upstanders – those who challenge bullying behaviour – instead of bystanders. This is something the school are incredibly passionate about. Recently, they also participated in The Diana Award and trained students to become anti-bullying ambassadors, such is their commitment to challenging bullying.

Humphrey Perkins School

The cunning teachers at Humphrey Perkins had skilfully hidden KitKats around the school this week, each one decorated with the Anti-Bullying Week branding which encouraged students to “come together to make a noise about bullying.” It was an incredibly innovative – and delicious! – method of conveying such an important message.

The feel-good factor was sustained throughout the week, as teachers also provided their students with postcards giving messages of encouragement, which spread optimism and positivity around the school.

Beauchamp College

All week, both Year 10 House Captains and Year 12 House Ambassadors ran stalls for Children in Need. They sold a range of Pudsey-themed items including badges, wristbands and the classic Pudsey ears. Staff and students were incredibly generous and, at the end of the week, a commendable amount was raised.

The Castle Rock School

Mr Black hosted a range of assemblies across all year groups in which he clarified what the term ‘bullying’ actually meant and how this differentiates from ‘banter.’ He also emphasised the importance of empathy and how it is important to put yourself in somebody else’s shoes and think about how they might be feeling.

The assemblies were well-received and the students approached them with both empathy and maturity.

Meanwhile, there was a Pudsey takeover in the kitchen; the amazing catering staff baked a selection of delicious treats to raise money. They also got in the spotty spirit by decorating their outfits – and their faces! – with colourful spots.

Martin High School

In return for a £1 donation, learners left their uniform at home for the day to wear their favourite clothes and had lots of fun participating in various stalls set up in the Hall; there were a range of classic fayre-ground games, and a glitter and tattoo stall.

They particularly enjoyed getting the opportunity to launch plates of cream at teachers locked in the stocks!

All in all, it was a noisy, wet and colourful week at Lionheart schools, but one which shared highly important messages and further developed our young people’s understanding of the world around them.