Isle of Man Guide

BE a buddy, not a bully. That’s the message that has gone out to pupils of Willaston Primary School this week – Anti Bullying Week (14th-18th November).

Constable Charlene Dooley, the school’s police liaison officer, arranged an afternoon of activities today to reinforce the message to Key Stage 2 pupils in a fun and interactive way.

Bethany Haller, a lecturer in health and social care at the Isle of Man College, spoke to pupils about the effects unkind words or deeds have on children and Bethany and fellow lecturer Anna Cowin incorporated fun activities into the hour-long session.

Constable Dooley also set pupils the task, sponsored by petroleum company Ellan Vannin Fuels (formerly Total, Isle of Man), of designing an anti-bullying logo. Andy Sweetman, Commercial Sales and Marketing Manager of Ellan Vannin Fuels, announced the winner as Mollie Reed, six.

Mollie’s logo will be printed on T-shirts that will be sported in and out of school by newly-chosen class anti-bullying ambassadors, whose names were also announced at today’s event.

They are Ryan MacNamara, seven, Victoria Leece, seven, Taylor Pickering, eight, Mica Caley, eight, Korben Bowers, nine, Aiden Forsythe, nine, Amber Dawson, 10, and Ryan O'Callaghan, 11.

They join Constable Dooley’s permanent ‘deputy’, Byron McKellar, 10, and his ‘deputy’, Jack Devereau, nine, in helping to spread the respect message throughout the school.

Rose Burton, Deputy Headteacher at Willaston, said:

‘The work we have done today build on an initiative already in place, the PC Dooley Respect Reward, which recognises children who show respect in and around the community. We have our anti-bullying ambassadors chosen and are all looking forward to wearing our T-shirts and letting everyone know that there is no place for bullies within our community.’

Dr Haller said:

‘Bullying hurts everyone. This opportunity to speak to the children at Willaston school will hopefully help the pupils and the local community to condemn bullying behaviour and focus on being a buddy, not a bully.’

Constable Dooley commented:

‘All individuals are of value and worthy of respect. Bullying is thoughtless and deliberately causes pain and suffering to others. I am delighted to have Dr Haller involved in spreading the anti-bullying message within the community and am grateful to Andy Sweetman and Ellan Vannin Fuels for their sponsorship of the anti-bullying T-shirts, which I am sure Willaston Primary School’s anti-bullying ambassadors and other pupils will wear with pride.

‘If you or someone you know is being bullied it is important to speak out and seek advice from Police, teachers, your parents or peers. Your actions could stop others from being a victim of bullying.’

Mr Sweetman presented a cheque for £525 to the school today, covering the cost of the T-shirts and including an extra £100 to support future anti-bullying initiatives.

He said:

‘We are delighted to offer our support to this initiative, which carries such an important message. The young ambassadors should feel very proud for upholding the values of anti-bullying in the heart of our community. I look forward to receiving progress reports from the school and Constable Dooley.’

Photos: From left, IoM College lecturer Dr Bethany Haller, Constable Charlene Dooley, Andy Sweetman, Commercial Sales and Marketing Manager at Ellan Vannin Fuels, Deputy Headteacher Rose Burton, teacher Jessica Kelly, Constable Mike Griffiths, IoM College lecturer Anna Cowin, the newly unveiled anti-bullying ambassadors and logo competition winner Mollie Reed (holding up her winning design)

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