Hats off to playground squad for bully blitz
Feb 21 2008 by Audrey Barton, The Journal
CHILDREN at schools across the region are helping each other to stamp out bullying under a special buddy scheme.
The anti-bullying sessions have been organised by North East charity the Children’s Foundation with the aim of encouraging children to understand different types of bullying and spot the signs.
Pupils put themselves up to be a buddy and the sessions teach them about different types of bullying, the effects of it and ways it can be countered.
Buddies are then chosen and kitted out with a red cap and certificate before joining the Playground Squad to help their peers play happily.
Mark Hewison, educational co-ordinator of the Whoops! Child Safety Project for the foundation, said: “It works really well the way the children react to being given the responsibility.
“The children have a lot more confidence from the scheme.
“Safety is key, so if they spot something, they tell the teacher. Its aim is to keep bullying to a minimum and we’ve had great feedback.”
Pupils at Dinnington First School, in Sycamore Avenue, Dinnington, North Tyneside, have taken the scheme to their hearts and are enthusiastic about helping their friends. Rosie Wyld, seven, said: “I was really excited when I was picked to be a buddy for the Playground Squad as I like helping people out. I’m looking forward to wearing my red cap when we come back from our school holidays.”
Hannah-Grace Roberts, nine, said: “I’m going to wear my hat all the time when I’m in the playground and if I see anyone being bullied, I’m going to tell them to stop and tell the teacher straight away.”
Nine-year-old Lewis Marshall added: “There were only 20 of us picked to be buddies for our school out of nearly 50, so I am really chuffed that I was one of them. I think my mam will be really proud of me.”
Headteacher Allyson Farrar said the scheme, funded by Newcastle Building Society, supports the school’s ongoing work on the personal development and wellbeing of its children.
“We have recently focused upon introducing the children to traditional playground games and have trained the older children and staff as playground leaders. The Playground Squad organised through Whoops! really complements this.”
Teacher Sarah Pay added: “Our School Council themselves identified the need for a buddying scheme back in 2005 and we started giving out yellow armbands to help identify who the buddies were.
“The anti-bullying sessions have been fantastic and the children have really enjoyed them, so we are very grateful to both Newcastle Building Society and Whoops! for enabling us to run these sessions in our school.”
