NI schools urged to 'Reach Out' this November to help tackle bullying

By Joanne Savage
Published 12th Oct 2022, 13:19 BST
Updated 12th Oct 2022, 13:42 BST
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Anti-Bullying Week 2022 runs from November 14-18 and boasts more resources than ever

Anti-Bullying Week 2022, coordinated by the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF), will return this November 14-18.

The event, which is in its 17th year, aims to encourage children and young people from across the province to reach out to their peers, adults and support networks to break the cycle of bullying.

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With more resources than ever, Anti-Bullying Week 2022 will equip schools with a comprehensive suite of information to ensure their participation in the event is as productive as possible.

There are multiple approaches that can be deployed by teachers and pupils to end the blight of bullying in the playground and on increasingly popular online forumsThere are multiple approaches that can be deployed by teachers and pupils to end the blight of bullying in the playground and on increasingly popular online forums
There are multiple approaches that can be deployed by teachers and pupils to end the blight of bullying in the playground and on increasingly popular online forums

Using the theme ‘Reach Out’ Anti-Bullying Week (ABW) 2022 has been developed with the help of over 300 children and young people from across the UK.

Its aim, like every year, is to create awareness of bullying, the devastating impact it can have on children and exactly how to stop it.

This year schools will be able to access resources including assembly plans, lesson plans and cross-curricular activity ideas that will encourage pupils to think about how they can ‘Reach Out’ to address bullying online and off-line.

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These resources have been carefully curated with the help of professionals at Stranmillis University College and St Mary’s University College to guarantee their adaptability in any setting where children are present.

Pictured are (l-r) Leon McCarthy, Charlie Cavlan, Grace Hurley and Caoimhe Connolly from Holy Child Primary School, Belfast, winners of last year’s Odd Socks Day as part of Anti-Bullying Week. Get ready for this year's Anti-Bullying Week set to take place November 14-18 across the province PIC: Press Eye - BelfastPictured are (l-r) Leon McCarthy, Charlie Cavlan, Grace Hurley and Caoimhe Connolly from Holy Child Primary School, Belfast, winners of last year’s Odd Socks Day as part of Anti-Bullying Week. Get ready for this year's Anti-Bullying Week set to take place November 14-18 across the province PIC: Press Eye - Belfast
Pictured are (l-r) Leon McCarthy, Charlie Cavlan, Grace Hurley and Caoimhe Connolly from Holy Child Primary School, Belfast, winners of last year’s Odd Socks Day as part of Anti-Bullying Week. Get ready for this year's Anti-Bullying Week set to take place November 14-18 across the province PIC: Press Eye - Belfast

The theme of this year’s event, ‘Reach Out’, is to encourage schools to reach out to their pupils and allow them to participate in how the week is marked while children are being prompted to reach out to teachers and senior members of staff to help shape their anti-bullying policies.

Familiar events including Odd Socks Day, which will take place on Monday November 14, will return alongside the much-loved Creative Arts Competition, helpful Toolkits and the return of ABW’s School Staff Award for which nominations will close on Friday October 21.

The art competition will open for entries on Monday November 14 and close on Monday January 23 while the School Staff Award, which commends members of the school community who have gone above and beyond in their bid to end bullying, will take place at a new one-day conference.

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The two overall winners will enjoy an overnight stay with breakfast for two people at Europa Hotel in Belfast, courtesy of Hastings Hotels.