Choose respect for anti-bullying week

The theme for this year's Anti-Bullying Week is to choose respect over bullying.

The theme was decided after a consultation with over 800 children, teachers and members of the Anti-Bullying Alliance. Their top priority was communicating that bullying is a behaviour choice, and that everyone can set a positive example by opting to respect each other. They also said it was important that people choose respect at school, in their homes and communities, and online.

Anti-bullying week is challenging schools and other settings to help children and young people, school staff, parents and other professionals who work with children to understand:

• The definition of respect
• That bullying is a behaviour choice
• That we can respectfully disagree with each other i.e. we don’t have to be best friends or always agree with each other but we do have to respect each other
• That we all need to choose to respect each other both face to face and online

There are all sorts of resources, including lessons and assembly plans, films and more available from the Anti-Bullying Alliance to help your school or setting run an event or raise awareness.

Stop Speak Support

For the first time this anti-bullying week will include a Cyber Friday with the theme of stop - speak - support.

Odd socks day

Odd Socks Day is designed to be fun! It’s an opportunity for children to express themselves and celebrate their individuality and what makes us all unique!

All children have to do is wear odd socks to school - school packs are available form the website!

Andy and the Odd socks have written a song to explain all about the day: