"Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you." This was one of many poignant quotes from the late Princess Diana (1961-1997) which our six newly-appointed Anti-bullying Ambassadors took away from their day’s Diana Award training at Brentside Academy in November. The theme of the day was, ‘Mutual Respect.’ The Diana Award’s Anti-Bullying work is supported by HRH The Prince of Wales and engages young people, parents and adults to change the attitudes, behaviour and culture of bullying by building skills and confidence to address different situations.  The Diana Award is a youth charity founded in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, and her belief that young people have the power to change the world.

 

Phil Kennedy, Leader of Play, and the six Diana Award trained pupils from Years 5 and 6- Imogen, Arthur, Andrew, Gabi, Ava and Zara trained up a further 18 newly-appointed Anti-bullying Ambassadors from Years 4, 5 and 6 in the run-up to Christmas.  They have all been gaining confidence in their new roles, using tools to identify bullying behaviours and learn how to support pupils who are involved in bullying situations. They now know that the word, ‘bully’ should not be used as bullying behaviour is a choice and can be challenged and changed. Instead, they now use the terms, ‘perpetrators,’ ‘targets,’ and ‘bystanders.’ Their mission now is to turn as many bystanders as possible into, ‘upstanders,’ who, like them, can make a positive change. 

 

Their roles will involve being on Anti-bullying Ambassador duty in the playground twice each week and collaborating on their first pupil-led school campaign, which will work towards achieving further Diana Award badges- Respect, Wellbeing, Community Action and Online Safety. 

 

Please click here to view their introductory video which explains who they are, their role and how they can be located in the playgrounds. We are extremely appreciative of the important work that these pupils are doing for our school and the positive impact that they will no doubt have in our school.