Hurst embraced Choose Respect during Michaelmas Term aligning with the annual Anti Bullying Week programme. The theme of ‘Respect’ is key to the success of an inclusive school, and all year groups engaged in meaningful conversations around this important topic.
The theme ‘Choose Respect’ has come about following consultation with teachers and pupils by the Anti-Bullying Alliance which coordinates Anti-Bullying Week every year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Teachers and children wanted a theme that empowered them to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.
Pupils from Reception to Year 8 came together as a community to show their support against bullying by wearing odd socks. A variety of long, short, spotty, fluffy socks walked the corridors for the day, with special posters and notices around school giving details of who to talk to if someone needs help. Teachers and staff also sported their favourite stripes and pupils watched the most recent anti-bullying assembly, which they then discussed in tutor groups, finishing by singing along with Andy and the Odd Socks’ latest hit.
The Senior School touched upon this theme in house assemblies, tutorials, lessons and the wider community to emphasise why we at Hurst value the meaning of respect. Hurst EDI team have been focussing on this in their weekly meetings and rolled these out in mini assemblies in the Prep School and the HET schools.
