Isle of Man Guide

Students at the Isle of Man College have been helping to raise awareness about bullying during National Anti-Bullying Week (16-20 November). On Wednesday lunchtime Peer Supporters and Student Council members invited students to write a message on an anti-bullying graffiti board. Messages included: ‘Treat others as you’d like to be treated’; ‘Don’t spread gossip’; ‘If you are being bullied tell someone who can help you through it’ and, straight to the point, ‘Bullying Sucks’.

Two Multi-Media students, Chris Headley and Liam Wilshire, took photos of groups of students posing with speech bubbles containing messages such as “We Say No to Bullying”; We Look Out for Each Other” and “Smile at Bullies, it Confuses Them”. The photographs will be made into a collage which will be displayed alongside the graffiti board for the rest of the academic year. This year’s theme is ‘Stay Safe in Cyber Space’ and Manx Telecom Customer Service staff were on hand to provide information about preventing and responding to mobile phone and online bullying. MT leaflets and College information sheets explaining how to address cyber-bullying were available.

Margaret McCabe, Student Events Co-ordinator and Peer Supporter, who helped organise the activities, said; “The event went really well and shows how supportive College students are of preventing bullying.”

Julie Bibby, Student Welfare Officer, added;

“We know that the most effective way to nip bullying in the bud is for peers to challenge bullying behaviour, as this gives the message that bullying will not be tolerated and will result in perpetrators being very unpopular. Of course, this can only be affective if the students know they have the backing of staff. During the week, it has been heart warming to hear lots of comments which indicate that our students are proud of the College’s friendliness and tolerance and are prepared to stand up to bullying if they see it by either challenging it directly or telling a member of staff.”

A series of short films produced by Multi-Media students was shown during the week in the College foyer. The films look at the impact of various types of bullying and emphasise the importance of supporting and sticking up for someone who is being bullied.

Several groups of students participated in bullying related discussions, role play and story telling sessions with their tutors during the week and were reminded of the College’s Bullying Pledge and who they can contact if they are being bullied.

Anne Gundry, Head of Student Services, commented,

“To complement our whole-college activities, it is important to address sensitive topics such as bullying in small groups. As well as raising awareness – and having a bit of fun – interactive group work provides opportunities for students to share experiences, support each other and raise any concerns they may have with their tutors. It also reinforces the message that staff will address bullying should it arise.”

College Principal, Dr Ian Killip, said:

“We know that the best way to keep bullying at bay is to create an environment where students and staff are not afraid to talk about it and challenge it. We pride ourselves on being a friendly, caring and supportive community that values individuality and nurtures cooperation. Although very little bullying occurs at the College, Anti-Bullying Week gives us an opportunity to emphasise to students that bullying will be dealt with should it arise. I would urge any students or families of students reading this who may be concerned about bullying to speak to a tutor or our Student Welfare Officer – I can assure them it will be taken seriously.”

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