This week, Chapelford Primary has been buzzing with exciting activities in celebration of Anti-Bullying Week, with a particular focus on the theme "Choose Respect". Respect is one of our core Chapelford Values, and throughout the week, our pupils have explored what it truly means to respect others and how we can choose to show respect in every situation.

Choosing Respect – A Week of Learning and Reflection

We kicked off the week with a special assembly led by our PSHCE lead, Mrs Farrar. The assembly introduced the theme of Choose Respect, where Mrs Farrar spoke to the children about the importance of treating everyone with kindness and dignity, regardless of their differences. She also explained that respect is not just something we do when it's easy, but a value we choose to practice every day.

As part of the assembly, the children received special stickers that reinforced this key message – reminding them that here at Chapelford, we all choose respect. This simple yet powerful idea set the tone for the rest of the week.

Respect and Kindness in Action

Throughout the week, the children have engaged in a variety of activities that have helped them reflect on what it means to choose respect in their daily lives. Respect is not just about treating others well, but also about recognising and valuing the differences that make each person unique. This year, we linked the theme of Choosing Respect to the concept of kindness – something we know is at the heart of all positive relationships and a safe and nurturing school environment.

Here are just a few of the wonderful activities our pupils have participated in:

  • Kindness Postcards: Children wrote a kindness postcard to someone who stood out to them for showing kindness or respect. These heartfelt messages have been a lovely way for children to appreciate their peers and celebrate the positive impact of kindness in our school. It is also an important message to share that you are noticed and recognised for displaying these qualities!

  • Rainbow of Friendship: Children created colourful rainbows with thoughtful instructions on how to be a good friend. This activity helped them reflect on the qualities that make a true friend – from listening and being supportive to showing empathy and understanding.

  • Respect Dance: Some of our older pupils created a dance to a song all about respect. It was inspiring to see how they worked together as a team and had fun at the same time. 

  • Odd Socks Day: One of the highlights of the week was our Odd Socks Day, which was an opportunity for the children to celebrate their individuality and embrace what makes them unique. We had fantastic conversations about how each of us is special in our own way and how we should respect and celebrate our differences. The children looked fantastic in their mismatched socks and it was a fun, yet powerful reminder that it's okay to be different, and it's important to stand out and be yourself.

Children in Need – "Making Life Lighter for Children"

This year’s theme for Children in Need is "Making Life Lighter for Children", focusing on raising awareness of the challenges children can face, especially in terms of mental health and anxiety. We took this opportunity to reflect on how important it is to care for our emotional well-being, as well as our physical health.

The children showed their support by dressing in yellow, Pudsey Bear clothes, and some even came to school dressed as gladiators, all in aid of the charity. It was fantastic to see so many creative costumes, and the spirit of kindness and compassion was evident throughout the school.

A Gladiator Obstacle Course!

Mr Capper brought the gladiator theme to life by setting up an exciting obstacle course on the MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area). The children had an absolute blast completing the challenge, racing through the course with energy and enthusiasm. From crawling under tunnels designed by our Year 5 children to balancing on the benches, the obstacle course gave the children the chance to test their strength and agility, all while having great fun!

It was wonderful to see the children working together, cheering each other on, and celebrating each other's successes as they navigated the course. It was a day full of smiles, laughter, and school spirit!

Fundraising for a Good Cause

In addition to the fun activities, the children raised money for Children in Need through donations. All funds raised will go towards supporting children who face challenges similar to those discussed earlier in the week – particularly those related to mental health and anxiety. By participating in these activities, our children have not only learned about the importance of supporting others, but they’ve also actively contributed to a cause that makes a real difference in the lives of children across the UK, showing a real concern for the wider society.

We believe that Anti-Bullying Week has provided a valuable opportunity for all of us to come together and reinforce the importance of kindness, inclusivity, and respect as part of our Chapelford community. By living out these values each day, we are helping to create a positive, supportive environment where all children feel safe, valued, and able to thrive. 

The children will consolidate their learning the following week with a performance by Liverpool based company, Altru Drama. Their performance will focus on spreading messages of kindness, friendship and respect. The performance explores what it means to be ‘different’ and why some people are scared of those who are different from themselves. As the characters travel back in time, children will learn that we are all different and that difference is what makes the world an interesting place.

We hope you enjoyed seeing the creativity and enthusiasm the children brought to this week’s activities. If you’d like to hear more about what your child has been learning during Anti-Bullying Week, please don’t hesitate to ask them – they’ve all been fantastic ambassadors for choosing respect!