This week is anti-bullying week! The governors and staff at BGS seek to eliminate all forms of bullying, discrimination, victimisation and harassment from our community. Our school values of kindness, integrity and rigour are integral in our culture, and we encourage all pupils not only to take responsibility for their own behaviour but also to be upstanders, not bystanders, when they witness behaviour that falls below our high standards.
During the week, we have talked to all pupils about what bullying is – it is unkind behaviour, it causes harm, it is intentional, repetitive and it may involve an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face, directly, indirectly via ‘go-betweens’ or may occur online. Ensuring our pupils recognise bullying behaviours enables them to speak up with confidence when they see something that they know is wrong – whether it is happening to them or to someone else.
Our whole school assembly last Thursday featured a role play from the peer mentors who wrote and acted out a scene using characters from Inside Out on the theme of sharing thoughts and feelings and overcoming fears. Peer mentor Hayden Banbury (U6) spoke to the whole school and said: “Peer mentors are around if you feel you are being bullied and want someone to talk to, or if you are worried or angry. No concern is too small—we volunteered for this role because we want to help. We won’t judge, and hopefully you’ll come away from a chat with one of us feeling reassured and able to take action. We are here for as long as you need us to be. And that, for me, is the most important thing to remember from this assembly: we are at your disposal. And not just us, every member of staff here has your wellbeing at the heart of what they do. If you have any worries, to come and talk to whoever you feel most comfortable asking for help, whether that is your form tutor, head of house, a particular subject teacher or a Peer Mentor.”
In addition, Deputy Head Ms Davies said “There is always a level of mystery when discussing bullying because often people have seen bullying at some point in their schooling, and often recognise bullying behaviour, but no one thinks they are the bully. No one ever thinks it’s them. As fallible humans, we are likely to excuse ourselves - we have different rules for ourselves and tend to blame others, excuse ourselves or deny it. Often it is down to the victim of bullying or others who witness it to report it so please do report it. If you feel you are being bullied, talk to someone whether it be a peer mentor; a trusted teacher; if you see bullying, report it to a trusted teacher; if you feel you can’t, Whisper it, anonymously, using the app on your iPads. That way we can work to eliminate bullying”
In addition, this week and last week, tutor groups have been looking at materials from the Anti-Bullying Alliance on this year’s theme of ‘Choose Respect’, and on Tuesday pupils were invited to come into school in Odd Socks to share the message that bullying is not acceptable in our community.
World Kindness Day also takes place this week, and we are marking it on Friday 15 November via the old-fashioned habit of sharing some kindness and positivity through the medium of hand-written cards! Pupils have been writing a short note in a kindness card to someone they know at BGS, or in some cases to someone they don’t, such as in our partnership organisations and Old Bristolians, to share some kindness. Some pupils have also been learning how to address an envelope for the first time! Happy World Kindness Day!
