Assemblies and events took place all last week at Westbourne House School to mark Anti-Bullying Week.
The whole school took part in activities that aligned with the theme of ‘Choose Respect’, as well as how to think for oneself and a celebration of respectful behaviour and kindness.
The Pre-Prep, for ages two to seven, celebrated what makes each child unique, as well as discussing how all children need to feel valued and included. They also enjoyed singing the ‘Odd Socks’ song.
In the Prep School, Year 4 pupils planned an assembly exploring the difference between unkindness and bullying by role playing various scenarios. Dressed as superheroes, the Year 4 pupils saved the day by making the ‘bullies’ understand the negative repercussions of their behaviour.
Year 7 and 8 students created and distributed kindness balloons to younger children in their patrol (house) to symbolise that kindness should always be in the air. When popped, pupils discovered a ‘kindness challenge’ on a piece of paper inside the balloon, such as ‘Design a playground game for the Y3 pupils to play’ and ‘Make a thank you card for kitchen staff’.
Daisy Doherty, Troop Leader (equivalent of Head Boy/Girl), said: “It was a lovely scene under the blue sky with huge numbers of juniors jumping up and down on a whole sea of brightly coloured balloons to get their kindness challenge.”
The leaders of each patrol kept tabs on which kindness challenges had been carried out and the Otter Patrol won the challenge with the most successfully accomplished tasks.
Sam Pollock, Head of Pastoral Care at Westbourne House, commented: “Respect and kindness are important components in the school’s moral code – the Westbourne Way – and the Anti-Bullying Week is a fantastic opportunity to focus and remind our children that these principles are a key part of the way our school community interacts and thrives.”