Thought For The Day – Thursday 16th November 2023
Anti-Bullying Week
This week is Anti-Bullying Week in the UK.
We are wearing odd socks today to show our support.
Bullying is serious. Bullying is intentional, persistent, unwanted, negative, abusive treatment.
Bullying is deeply wrong.
It is particularly heart-breaking to think any child suffers bullying, for example.
Young people, with their whole life ahead of them, particularly deserve the very best of environments, the very best of chances, the very best encouragement and support.
Bullying can take many forms. It can happen in any place at any time and at any age.
It can be direct and coercive in person, and/or, these days, on-line, involving group exclusion, exploitation, images, manipulation, misinformation and disinformation.
Bullying can also be indirect, in person and/or on-line, involving isolating, ignoring, leaving out, unreasonably pressurizing, not helping and supporting and being unfair, unrepresentative and untruthful in what is said and done.
Bullying can sometimes try and turn the problem on to the victim of bullying, or seek to trigger a response.
Bullying can be verbal, physical, emotional, sexual.
Negative prejudice and discrimination is bullying.
The theme of this year’s Anti-Bullying Week is to “Make A Noise About Bullying”.
Silence is compliance.
It encourages us to raise awareness and to safely report any experiences, whether they be personal or whether we see someone else going through a tough time. It encourages us to safely share any problems. This all shows true resilience. Our vulnerability is our strength.
Sometimes, we never truly know what someone is going through. That little, hopeful and positive act of kindness can mean the world. The opposite adds to any problems. We can make that good difference.
On our journey, though we are never perfect, and we are always improving and learning, we try to thoughtfully consider others, caring for one another, and treating others as we wish to be treated.
The antidote to bullying is equality, fairness, humility, inclusion, integrity, kindness, love, moral resilience, respect and responsibility.
In vital assemblies this week, Mrs. Butler once again has reminded us about the most important part of our education and life; happiness, health, peace, safety and wellbeing, both of ourselves and others.