On the morning of Friday, June 22nd, pupils selected from the seven local primary schools participated in an anti-bullying campaign which took the form of a vibrant street parade/rally.
The children, accompanied by several teachers and school officials, came together on the grounds of the Anguilla Public Library where they were addressed and briefed prior to setting out on the parade route.
School Counsellor, Mrs. Vivienne Fleming, made it known that the purpose of the rally was to sensitize the students and the public to the repercussions of bullying and to make a statement on what can be done to stamp it out of the schools. Mrs. Fleming acknowledged the presence and support of Dr. Dana Foy, the wife of HE Governor Tim Foy, as well as officials from the Ministry of Social Development who included Ms. Hyacinth Bradley and Ms. Kiesha Bibby.
Addressing the pupils and participants on the mission of the anti-bullying campaign, its coordinator, Tr. Deverelle Edwards of the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School, stated: “The issue of bullying is becoming a very serious trait in our schools. The fact that we have organized this rally today demonstrates our concern about the seriousness and consequences of the issue. Our aim is to make everyone aware of the negative consequences of bullying.”
She went on to define bullying as “any unwanted hurtful or aggressive behavior that is repeatedly done.” She stressed: “It includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone by use of hands and/or feet, name calling, excluding someone from a group on purpose, and making negative comments via computer, cell phones or any social media device.”
Tr. Deverelle noted, “Whatever the mode or method of bullying might be, it has serious negative consequences. It makes an impact on everyone involved — the bully, the victim, the by-stander, and even the school at large. ”
The rally, with the theme “Be a buddy; not a bully”, was organized and coordinated by a steering committee under the leadership of Tr. Deverelle. The theme, along with other pertinent anti-bullying phases, was energetically chanted by the children all along the parade route.
The street rally was fired-up by rhythms from the versatile Seventh-day Adventist Pathfinders drum-band, and the parade was accompanied by police escort. It took a route west, to Environment Health Department; south, along the People’s Market towards NCBA; east, up the slope on St. Mary’s Street; north, towards the traffic light at Lake’s; and west, back to the starting point on the grounds of the Public Library.
Upon their return, the pupils were passionately applauded by their teachers and supporters, and they were highly commended by the Schools’ Counsellor, Mrs. Vivienne Fleming.
