After a year marked by significant events—disruption, division, and destruction—it is now more pertinent than ever to explicitly teach and discuss the importance of embracing and accepting differences.
Anti-Bullying Week and the International Day for Tolerance are two key events that can be embedded in your setting’s calendar and used as springboards to relaunch, enhance, and spotlight your anti-bullying strategy.
Anti-Bullying Week:
Anti-Bullying Week, organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, will take place from Monday 11th to Friday 15th November and is now entering its 20th year. Celebrated across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the 2024 theme, Choose Respect, is particularly timely and relevant in today's climate.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance has produced a launch video outlining this year’s theme and highlighting the drive to “empower children and young people not to resort to bullying even when we disagree, and remind adults to lead by example online and offline.”
Get Ready For Anti-Bullying Week School Event – Monday 10th October, 4-5pm, this is a free online event for schools to find out how you can get prepared for Anti-Bullying Week this year!
Odd Socks Day - Tuesday 12th November, with adults and children being encouraged to wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique.
Resources – Primary and secondary school packs of resources have been produced for schools to utilise during this week and beyond. Resources include assembly ideas, lesson plans, and cross-curricular activities.
International Day for Tolerance:
“Let us recognise the mounting threat posed by those who strive to divide, and let us pledge to forge a path defined by dialogue, social cohesion, and mutual understanding.”
The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for Tolerance is annually observed on 16th November to educate people about the need for tolerance in society and to help them understand the negative effects of intolerance. The International Day for Tolerance was officially launched in 1996 following the United Nations Year for Tolerance in 1995.
No official resources will be provided, so settings and communities are encouraged to tailor their marking of the day to best suit their needs. However, you can find activities, lesson plans, and assembly ideas on various teacher resource websites.
UNAI Quiz: International Day for Tolerance | United Nations – a short quiz produced that could be used a lesson or assembly prompt
If you're participating in any of the events mentioned above, please share your experience on social media and tag HFL (X: @HfLWellbeing, Instagram: @hfl_education). We would love to share and celebrate the fantastic work you are doing!
Please contact the HFL Education Wellbeing Team – wellbeing@hfleducation.org for additional support, advice and guidance around any aspects of your schools anti-bullying strategy.
Sarah-Jane Ferguson
