All 54 Bracknell Primary School students signed the Upstander Pledge last week, united in their efforts to prevent bullying and call out anyone who they spot doing the wrong thing either online or in the school.
“I pledge to always be an Upstander against bullying. If I see somebody being bullied in person or online I would: be an upstander by being a good friend to the person being bullied, changing the subject if someone is being mean, speaking up if someone is not right, letting the person being bullied know that you do not think it is okay, leaving the situation – act later on, telling the person doing the bullying that it is not okay or telling them to stop, asking for help from an adult if it is needed.”
As part of the anti-bullying campaign, they attended a talk by Northern Community Police Service officer Annabel Shegog about cyber bullying and how to recognise and deal with online bullies.
The student representative council led a poster competition that was judged during the week, with the winners receiving Upstander drink bottles and a certificate, which was held in conjunction with a plain clothes day and a sausage sizzle to raise money for the school.
There was even a special Upstander dance performed during the lunch break.
Principal Angela Gatti said that while bullying was a rare occurrence at the school, the aim was to raise awareness and make sure students felt comfortable reporting anything they saw or heard that was unacceptable.
SRC leader Paige Spencer said the students are prepared to stand up for someone who is being picked on.
“Don’t just watch, or laugh if someone is being bullied, tell a teacher, otherwise they will get away with it,” she said.