PUPILS at a Derby school brightened up the classroom and celebrated their individuality by wearing odd socks to mark Anti-Bullying week in the UK.
St Giles School, in Hampshire Road, held a week of activities centred around friendship with staff and children encouraged to wear odd socks to acknowledge what makes them unique.
They created anti-bullying posters and held a ‘buddy morning’ where two children from each class swapped. At the end of the week, each class nominated a ‘Star of The Week; a child who had demonstrated an act of kindness and friendship.
Anti-Bullying Week is a nationwide initiative held in schools each November. Organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, their goal this year is to inform schools and settings, children and young people, parents and carers to know that it takes a collective responsibility to stop bullying.
A recent study found that 24% of children surveyed are bullied at least once a week. The same study discovered that 11% have missed school because of bullying.
Tom Few, teacher at St Giles and part of the school’s Well-Being team, said: “Classes during anti-bullying week embedded friendship into their lessons through teaching friendship skills.
“All children were encouraged to compliment others and to talk about what makes a good friend. Activities we have had in school have been fun and centered around kindness and all the children enjoyed themselves. It was a great way of celebrating our individuality here at St Giles School.”
Shakir Gumaa (10) said that he makes his friends happy by singing and dancing while nine-year-old Louie Purcell added: “I like to share toys with my best friend Fraser and play Lego with him to cheer him up if he is upset.”
Anti-Bullying Week is supported by CBeebies presenter Andy Day and his band the Odd Socks, who have written a song called ‘Change’ for the initiative.
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