HSD pupils train up to tackle bullying

Pupils from the High School of Dundee have been training up to tackle bullying.

Diana Award training

19 pupils from F1 through to F6 took part in an anti-bullying training session run by The Diana Award.

Taking place online, the event saw the youngsters – who hold the roles of Anti-Bullying Ambassadors at the School – work together to acquire vital skills to allow them to confidently address different situations which can occur, both online and face-to-face.

The session looked at how the Ambassadors can seek to change the attitudes and behaviours behind various bullying scenarios. At the end of the day, the pupils went on to make an action plan of how to approach bullying issues that may arise in schools, as well as committing to their roles as Ambassadors.

The Diana Award’s Anti-Bullying Ambassador Programme sees trainers work with students and other young people to change the attitude surrounding bullying.

The programme has a strong peer-to-peer focus, with trainers giving young people the skills and confidence to become Anti-Bullying Ambassadors to tackle bullying long after the training has finished.

The School has been involved in the programme since 2019, and Louise Baxter, PT Guidance (Aystree), was delighted with the way the pupils responded to the training.

She said, “I was really pleased by how confidently and positively our pupils engaged with this training. They demonstrated a mature focus and determination and I was extremely proud of their insightful and compassionate contributions to the discussions with Jade, who was an animated and inspirational speaker.

“This training is vital to the continued development of our anti-bullying work in school as it should empower pupils to support their peers more effectively and give them ideas on how to help bring about positive change within the whole community.

“Our pupils are armed with exciting ideas and are motivated to make a positive difference.”