Up and away with school bullying

READY to launch . . . marking the end of Anti-Bullying Week at Hulme Grammar School for Girls with a balloon launch are, from left, Sabrina Long, peer mentor co-ordinator Dawn Wheldrick, North West regional adviser for the Anti-Bullying Alliance Alison O’Brien and Libby Broughton

PUPILS at the Hulme Grammar School for Girls filled the sky with balloons to mark the end of a busy week against bullying.

Anti-Bullying Week at the Chamber Road school has seen girls from Year seven to Year 13 take part in a range of activities to highlight the different types of bullying and where victims can get help and support.

The school has raised thousands of pounds for the Anti-Bullying Alliance during the annual event over the past few years.

Fundraising this year included a tuck shop and raffle as well as sponsoring the balloons, with staff and pupils waiting to see which travelled the furthest. There was also a fancy dress football match.

The school has many initiatives to tackle bullying throughout the year.

A peer mentor team made up of girls from Year 10 to 13 is now in its fifth year and a team is to be launched at the boys school.

The Hulme anti-bullying ambassadors, made up of more than 20 Year 8 girls, was also formed last year. The groups help to promote zero tolerance to bullying.

Earlier this year pupils and peer mentors Emma Washington (18) and Charlotte Goode (17) received prestigious Diana Anti-Bullying Awards for their work with the Alliance.

The accolades were set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, to recognise outstanding work by young people to help eradicate bullying.