Schools and youth groups in Derry are being encouraged to register for Anti-Bullying Week 2016 (ABW16) which will take place between Monday 14 and Friday 18 November.
This year’s theme is ‘Together We Are Stronger’.
Anti-Bullying Week is coordinated by the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) and supported by Translink.
NIABF is an interagency group hosted by the National Children's Bureau (NCB) NI and funded by the Department of Education.
The event actively involved over 800 schools and youth groups last year and it is anticipated that numbers getting involved in 2016 will increase.
Celine McStravick, chairperson of Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) explained why it was important that schools and youth groups register:
She said: “Last year over 800 schools and youth groups signed up to take part in Anti Bullying Week.
“They used the resource pack that is issued upon registration to support them in organising a wide range of events within the school environment to discuss the impact of bullying.
“The pack includes presentations, activity plans, project briefs and ABW16 themed posters. Registration only takes a couple of minutes.
“Almost 3,000 young people entered the Young People’s Competition, which is back this year by popular demand.
“Participation in the competition provides an opportunity to understand the nature and complexities of bullying behaviour and how schools work collectively with parents and carers to end bullying.
“It also highlights key issues in relation to bullying behaviour to both the school and wider community and of course there is the added bonus of prizes for individual winners and a chance to win £250 worth of resources for your school or group.”
To register for Anti-Bullying Week go to www.endbullying.org.uk.
Alternatively contact Gill Hassard, NI Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator, on 028 9089 1730 or email info@niabf.org.uk.
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