A north Manchester primary school is fighting bullying with a bit of help from stars of children's TV channel CBBC. Pike Fold Primary School has launched the ‘Positive Post Box’ campaign, an anti-bullying initiative.
The campaign is supported by CBBC hosts Laura Hopkinson and Rhys Stephenson, as well as YouTuber Lee Hinchcliffe, who were present to surprise the students by dressing as postal workers.
The three presenters encouraged the students to fill in postal letters that are filled with messages on how to be positive and how to spread positivity.
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This Positive Post Box, launched by The Diana Award and Nationwide Building Society, uses the power of letter-writing to fight rude behaviour and instil kindness in children. Year 5 students Kayden, Paul, Bobbie and Brook read out their letters spreading positivity to the MEN.
One of the letters read: "Here at Pikefold Primary School, we have been learning how to be a positive person. It is important to be kind to yourself because you are talented and smart. When I don't feel positive, my mum cheers me up.
"You should always remember that you are awesome. Adopting a growth mindset is super important, don't let a mood hoover get you down. You can help your peers by giving them a hug."
Another letter read: "We always make sure when you are down, there is a rainbow waiting at the end. Don't just stand there when you see someone getting bullied, be kind.
"No matter what stands in your way, you will always be perfect."
Research shows that eight in ten (83%) children have experienced bullying, with the vast majority stating that the bullying took place within the school grounds.
Fifty percent said it was based on their looks while a quarter of the children said that they have experienced bullying on social media.
CBBC presenter, Rhys Stephenson, spoke to the MEN on the importance of anti bullying campaigns such as Positive Post Box:
"Bullying has become so much more refined in the digital age. You can't really escape it now, back in the day, you'd be able to go to school and come back home, to your safe spac.e.
"It's really paramount that we get it into children's head early how horrible bullying is and how damaging how it can actually be."
Rhys continued: "Some children lose their lives over something like this, over words and I think that is the issues with some bullies.
"Buliies sometimes think it only has to be physical, they never remember how powerful words can be and could drive a child to do unspeakable things to themselves or others.
"It's super important we do campaigns like this and it's super important that we do it in a way that it's fun like sending off letters. You don't want to make it too negative and make the children scared. If you get them positive and happy, they won't feel like bullying each other because they'll feel good about themselves."
Rhys talked about how it was a privilege to be a Positive Post Box ambassador:
"Of course being on CBBC where a lot of what I do involves children, I have to be involved in things like this. These are the issues kids are facing, we are not there to just talk about the positive things, but also the negatives that affect them."
Deputy Head of Pike Fold Primary, Julie McKeever, spoke about the importance of anti-bullying campaigns with social media being easier to access then ever:
"I think it's really important that we joined the campaign, the children have really enjoyed writing letters. We have done a lot of work ever since returning from COVID in regards to mental health and positivity.
"With social media, they can have access to it all day long. If someone is being unkind, they can't get away like we used to be able too."
Ms McKeever continued: "Our main focus is how to make the kids feel happy and to feel safe and to spread that positivity and to look after each other.
"We have done a lot of work in the school with regards to bullying and making sure the children know what bullying is and that it's not an isolated incident of someone being unkind rather a persistent thing.
"The children now know how to seek support, who to speak too if they are bullied. They need to know they are responsible for their own behaviour and to make sure they look out for each other."
Year 5 teacher, Ryan Young, also expressed his opinions on bullying in the digital age and anti-bullying campaigns.
"I think what is so special about this campaign is that it moves away from text messages and anything else digitally and gives them a chance to express themselves through writing. It helps them put their thoughts and feelings in a letter," he said.
"We also have a buddy bench so if anyone is ever feeling lonely or isolated, they can sit on it. Generally, I think across the school we have a vibe of positivity which is nice for the children."
More than 120,000 kids have participated in The Positive Post Box campaign since its inception in October 2022, following The Big Anti-Bullying Assembly.
An astounding 300 schools have also joined the initiative with more planning too so bullying becomes as minimal as possible.
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