Choose Respect
This week, our learning has been dedicated to Anti-Bullying Week, with a particular focus on respect - one of our fundamental school values. It has been a truly busy and engaging time, filled with meaningful activities and discussions.
We utilised resources provided by the NSPCC during lessons and assemblies, along with NSPCC-led workshops specifically designed for Years 2, 5, and 6. These sessions offered valuable insights, helping children understand whom they can approach if they ever feel worried. Together, we explored different types of worries, their impact on emotions, and identified trusted figures in their lives to whom they can turn for support.
As Monday 11th November was Remembrance Day, we celebrated Odd Socks Day (traditionally the start of Anti-Bullying Week) on Tuesday. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated by wearing odd socks. Your colourful contributions brought joy and positivity to the day, and we are thrilled to share that together we raised £68 for the Anti-Bullying Alliance.
On Wednesday, we delved deeper into this year’s theme, ‘Choose Respect,’ during collective worship. We reflected on key questions: What is respect? and What is bullying? According to the Oxford Dictionary, respect means, ‘having due regard for someone’s feelings, wishes, or rights.’ At St. Peter’s, we have adopted the Anti-Bullying Alliance’s definition of bullying:
‘The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online.’
At St. Peter’s, we strive to be a listening school where pupils feel confident sharing their concerns, including experiences of bullying. We recognise that, while bullying can exist in any environment, learning how to address it is a vital life skill. To support this, we use the acronym S.T.O.P. with our pupils:
S.T.O.P. – Several Times On Purpose
S.T.O.P. – Start Telling Other People
This simple tool reinforces awareness and encourages children to seek help when needed. If you’d like to learn more about the vital work of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, please visit their website: anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk.
Initiatives like Anti-Bullying Week remind us of the strength and unity of our school community. Fostering an environment of kindness and respect remains our shared priority. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of our team.
We would also like to thank the parents who joined Mrs Hall for the Emotional Regulation Workshop on Friday 8th November. We recognise the importance of such sessions and are pleased to share that resources from the workshop will be made available next week for those unable to attend. Looking ahead, this week marks the beginning of a phased programme that complements our RHSE lessons, taught weekly. In the spring term, Mrs Hall will host a workshop for parents, providing an opportunity to share insights about our curriculum and gather your ideas to further enhance our Relationships, Health, and Sex Education (RHSE) programme at St. Peter’s.
Thank you for your continued support in making our school a safe, nurturing environment where all children can thrive. Together, we are building a culture of kindness, respect, and resilience.
