Ahead of National Anti-bullying week in November, we are coming together to emphasise the power of kindness and the importance of an anti-bullying environment at Chase Terrace Academy. Our slogan, “At CTA, Kindness is the Norm,” reflects our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming school for all.

Our leadership team, including our Deputy Headteacher, Mr. M Newman, and Assistant Headteacher, Mr. D Inman, are dedicated to leading powerful assemblies with a strong anti-bullying message. At CTA, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for bullying. During the assembly, we’ll delve into the true meaning of kindness, which goes beyond being nice; it’s an intentional, voluntary act of goodwill. We’re also educating our pupils on the definition of bullying and reinforcing our behaviour policy towards bullying and the ramifications of it not being followed.

By focusing on the quote of “What hurts the victim the most is not the cruelty of the oppressor but the silence of the bystander” coined by Elie Wisel, Holocaust survivor, we encourage our pupils to challenge incidents of bullying and support their peers by being kind. We urge them to follow the National Bullying Week message: ‘Make a noise about bullying’ by speaking up, being supportive, and reporting bullying. We’re taking a mature approach to dealing with bullying and demonstrating the support available for those who feel they’re being bullied.

This message isn’t just from staff or pupils; it’s a collective voice from our entire community, declaring that bullying is not acceptable.

Throughout the week, we have a series of exciting activities and initiatives to raise awareness and promote kindness. Here’s what you can expect:

Monday: Awareness Campaign Kickoff

– Our Art and Computing departments have joined forces to launch an awareness campaign. Pupils are encouraged to design posters, videos, or presentations to educate their peers about the effects of bullying and how to prevent it.

– The top three entries will receive a fantastic prize of a £15 Amazon voucher!

Tuesday: Acts of Kindness

– Pupils will receive an “Act of Kindness” card and are encouraged to perform acts of kindness throughout the week.

– Pupils will collect staff signatures on their card after completing an act of kindness. Each completed card will earn them a “Kindness Matters” badge and a scrumptious chocolate treat!

Wednesday: Open Discussion Circles

– Our Student Support Officers will lead open discussion circles for each year group. These safe spaces will allow pupils to openly share their experiences and feelings related to bullying. Older pupils will provide guidance on tackling bullying issues.

Thursday: Peer Support Groups

– Sixth-form pupils can participate in peer-led support groups, providing a platform to discuss experiences and feelings related to bullying and how to handle such situations.

– These discussions will take place in our Pizza Hub, ensuring access to safe spaces for open conversations.

Friday: Rewards and Campaign Leaders

– We’ll collect the “Acts of Kindness” cards and distribute rewards.

– Presentations created during Monday’s activities will be showcased, and the campaign leaders will be announced.

At Chase Terrace Academy, we value the voices of our entire community and are committed to continuous improvement. We appreciate your input and have initiated a feedback collection process through the MyChildatSchool app to ensure that we as a school are meeting your needs and expectations.

In addition, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting a Parents Forum event in early December. This event will provide a valuable opportunity for families to come together, share their insights, and engage in constructive discussions about supporting our school and reinforcing the important messages within our community.

Ms. N Mason, our Headteacher, emphasises our dedication to taking bullying seriously and focusing on community engagement. She says, “”Kindness is the foundation of our school community. We take bullying seriously and are committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment for all.”

Let’s make this Anti-Bullying Week a resounding success and stand together to make “Kindness the Norm” at CTA. Your participation and support are immensely appreciated. It is through our collective effort that we can make Chase Terrace Academy an even better place for all our pupils and their families. Thank you for being an integral part of our school community

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