Speak Out Stop Bullying 2008: Workshops helping kids to learn about anti-bullying
CHILDREN in Nechells learned the Speak Out Stop Bullying message just weeks before starting their new senior schools.
Youngsters from nine schools took part in an hour-long workshop at Aston University looking at preventing the bullies.
Organised by Nechells+ Education Action Zone, the workshops were part of a day in which ten and 11-year-olds were inspired to aim higher, be introduced to university and to prepare for the move to a new school.
This month the children are all starting at their new senior schools and are hopefully prepared to tackle bullying if they see it.
Nechells+ EAZ takes in one senior school, Heartlands High, with St Vincent, Cromwell, St Joseph, St Clement, Nechells, St Matthew, Yew Tree and Nechells Primary Schools plus Bloomsbury Children’s Centre.
Director Noran Flynn said the B Smart workshops took place over three days.
“We were looking at Stay Safe, Make Friends, Aim High, Respect Yourself and Travel Safe (Smart),” she said. “And bullying is an important aspect of this.
“The message we were trying to pass on was that the skills they learned in primary school can transfer to senior school.
“When we discussed how to deal with bullies many of the children initially said that now the bullies would be bigger the best thing to do was to fight them.
“But when we looked at it they realised that they could deal with bullies in senior school in the same way as at primary school, by telling an adult.”
Birmingham City Council’s anti-bullying co-ordinator Sue Balls said the event was aiming to help children make that transition from primary to senior.
“We don’t want children to think there will be bullying at senior school but we do want them to know that if they do see it or experience it then they can prevent it,” she says.
The event, in which each of the schools participated individually, was aimed with a positive slant however.
“It is a lot to do with telling them how to make friends and be confident,” adds Sue.
Share
