Stockport Academy students beat the bull(ies)

Chris Prince / 24 November 2015 / Categories: News

A mechanical rodeo bull challenge was one of the highlights of Anti-Bullying Week at Stockport Academy.

The ride represented the finale of five days of activities designed to raise awareness of how to identify and put a stop to bullying as part of an annual national campaign.

This year’s theme was ‘Make Some Noise’, so it was fitting that one of the other highlights included a flashmob dance in the refectory during lunchtime on Thursday – the video can be seen below.

The Academy’s peer mentor group also led an assembly on what sort of behaviour constitutes bullying, while students had the opportunity to take selfies with a speech bubble during break times, where they could write on advice for people who are being bullied.

Anti-Bullying wristbands – which the Diana Award designed after being inspired by Stockport Academy’s ‘be who you want to be, love who you are’ slogan – were also on sale, while Year 7 students participated in a competition to design an anti-bullying poster.

The poster competition was eventually won by Rhianna Maymon, while Rhianna’s form 7TMC won the form contest. Meanwhile, Year 9 student Tyler Gibbons lasted the longest on the rodeo bull, hanging on for a full 44 seconds before being thrown off. The biggest crowd though was probably for Principal Mr McCarron, who could only manage 16 seconds before hitting the mat!

Year 11 student Molly Keates won a £20 voucher thanks to her winning entry in the anti-bullying  poetry competition with her effort ‘How?’ judged to be thought provoking indeed.

Mrs Nicholls, who organised the programme of activities, said: “This week has been fantastic for raising awareness among students about what is one of the most important principles in our school.

“We have an excellent track record in our stance against bullying and this is largely down to the superb attitude of our students in doing all they can to stop bullying in its tracks.”