“…Bullying and Abuse of Any Kind is Wrong and There are People Who Can Help ” Said Aaron Shakeshaft a Pupil in Year 13
Pupils at Bryntirion Comprehensive School in Bridgend are making a proactive stand against violence on 25th November, which is International Day against Violence against Women, also, know as White Ribbon Day. Over 120 Year 7 pupils (First Year) and 36 Sixth Formers will be involved in this unique event which will highlight to the younger pupils the many faces of abusive behaviour.
They will be putting unacceptable behaviour by anyone under the spot light, regardless of age or gender. The event is part of an on going partnership between the school’s PSE department and Hafan Cymru’s Spectrum Schools Project.
Many of the male Sixth Form pupils will be wearing a White Ribbon to show their support for the campaign. Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.
“Shockingly, domestic abuse affects around 1 women in 4 in the UK. A quarter of attacks occur whilst a women is pregnant and in half of domestic abuse cases, there is also abuse to children and young people. It’s imperative that we educate our children at an early age about healthy and unhealthy behaviour within relationships and its impact. The Hafan Cymru Spectrum project delivers this information in sessions to teenagers in schools across Wales. The enthusiasm of the Bryntirion Pupils working on this project is fantastic and testament to the fact that the youth of Wales want a more proactive approach to breaking the cycle of abuse for future generations.” said Rosalyn James, Manager of the Hafan Cymru Spectrum Project.
Thirty six volunteers from the school’s Sixth Form have received training from Hafan Cymru’s Schools Liaison Officer around raising awareness about abuse and highlighting appropriate sources of support for young people. They in turn will pass on this information to the younger pupils through the medium of fun and interactive games. The games focus on identifying what is abusive, or bullying behaviour- both in school and at home, and then looking at how and who to ask for help, should they need it.
Aaron Shakeshaft a pupil in Year 13 said, “Being part of this project has given me a chance to show the younger pupils that bullying and abuse of any kind is wrong and there are people who can help them”
The Sixth Formers have devised six games which will be laid out in the sports hall and played for 10 minutes at a time. When the whistle sounds the pupils move on to the next game, so that every group plays every game. One game will assist the pupils in identifying what is and is not bullying behaviour and the next will discuss various avenues of support. Another game will look at bullying within the home followed by a game discussing sources of support. The games provide the older pupils with an opportunity to discuss a sensitive subject in an engaging and entertaining way.
The Peer Education Project also links in with the Sixth Formers’ Welsh Baccalaureate coursework therefore in addition to providing the Year 7 pupils with valuable information; the Sixth Formers are themselves acquiring skills and working towards a qualification.