Let’s Stop Bullying For All



  Let’s Stop Bullying For All

  An anthology of poems and illustrations by children and young people living on the Isle of Wight, aged 8-15

  Anti-Bullying Week 2014

  Text copyright © 2015

  All Rights Reserved

  Contents

  Introduction

  Artwork

  Acknowledgments

  Years 5-6 Category

  Years 7-9 Category

  Years 10-11 Category

  Introduction

  Foreword

  In the summer of 2014, the Isle of Wight Council in partnership with Island schools and the Isle of Wight Safeguarding Children Board (IOWSCB) launched an Anti-Bullying poetry competition based on the Anti-Bullying week theme ‘Let’s Stop Bullying for all’. The competition had 3 categories - Years 5-6, Years 7-9 and Years 10-11.

  Many schools and young people took part with an amazing response of 242 poems. 25 poems were shortlisted with young people selecting their top 8 (four for Years 5-6, two for Years 7-9 and two for Years 10-11). The 8 winning entries were read out at the Annual Anti-Bullying Conference for children and young people, and prizes were handed out by the Chief Superintendent of Police. The remaining shortlisted entries were awarded certificates and goody bags at school. Isle of Wight Radio continued promotion of poems and messages from the Conference throughout Anti-Bullying Week (17th – 21st November 2014).

  The 25 shortlisted and 8 winning entries are collated within this ebook alongside illustrations from young people on the Island.

  All contributors have consented to the use of their poems in this ebook.

  Support

  Bullying is defined as: ‘the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or through cyberspace.’ (Anti-Bullying Alliance, see https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/)

  If you have been affected by any of the themes raised within this ebook there are lots of places to go for help. You can talk to someone close to you or someone you trust at school like a teacher.

  On the Island the Family Information Zone (FIZ) will help: https://www.iwight.com/wightchyps/ or (01983) 821999.

  There are also lots of website offering support:

  Childline - https://www.childline.org.uk/pages/home.aspx

  Ditch the Label - https://www.ditchthelabel.org/annual-bullying-survey-2015/

  Rise Above - https://riseabove.org.uk/

  Young Minds - https://www.youngminds.org.uk/about/what_we_do

  Youth Net - https://www.youthnet.org/about-us/

  If you are concerned about a child you can call:

  Childline - 0800 1111

  Hants Direct - 0300 300 0117

  Artwork

  Front cover: Ciara Kent, Christ the King College

  In order of appearance:

  Brooke Wheeler, Oakfield C of E (Aided) Primary School

  Harvey Duke, Oakfield C of E (Aided) Primary School

  Alfie B, Oakfield C of E (Aided) Primary School

  Che Edge, Christ the King College

  Jodie McCreadie, Christ the King College

  Lorenzo Cretella, Christ the King College

  Maia Gray, Christ the King College

  Acknowledgments

  Thanks to all the young people and schools who took part in the competition and completed poems and illustrations.

  A big thank you to all who continue to offer support in overcoming bullying, and promoting the wellbeing of young people across the Isle of Wight.

  With particular thanks to Debbie Pledge of the Isle of Wight Safeguarding Children Board who produced this ebook.

  Years 5-6 Category

  Winning Entry, Years 5-6 Category

  Let’s Stop Bullying For All

  At the school gate…

  They use their body to bruise me,

  They use their words to hurt me,

  They make me cry.

  In the school playground…

  They use their body to shove me,

  They use their words to upset me,

  They make me cry.

  I try running…

  They use their body to catch me,

  They use their words to shout at me,

  They make me cry.

  I tell the teacher,

  The bullying stops.

  I’m happy again,

  My friends take care of me,

  We all play together,

  We work together to stop bullying for all

  Shania Swinfield

  Year 4, Newport C of E Primary School

  Winning Entry, Years 5-6 Category

  The Victim

  I don’t wanna get up, I don’t wanna go to school

  Cause you bully me and you think you’re cool!

  I know you only do it to impress your friends,

  I was one once but our friendship met an end!

  Here comes my mum to get me up,

  I wanna tell her but my words get stuck!

  I feel so alone all by myself,

  So I grab my laptop from the tall shelf

  I turn it on and find I’ve been HACKED!!

  You’ve left messages and the screen’s CRACKED!!

  Insulting words that make me wanna cry

  I blush and sniff and you know I’m shy

  At 08.45 I arrive at class

  You utter mean words as we cross paths

  At morning recess you stride up to me

  I try to run but you corner me at the tree

  ‘What are you doing you little worm,

  Why is it that you struggle and squirm?

  You’re a real geek with those goofy glasses

  I mean you’re always at the bottom of all classes!’

  You push me hard and I fall over,

  My face smashes to the ground as I see a 4 leafed clover!

  I start to feel lucky but my heart soon drops

  My BESTFRIEND strolls over singing top of the pops

  You turn to her and she soon shouts

  ‘what are you doing to my friend you trout!’

  I stand up again, my heart beats like a drum

  You push me again and make fun of my mum

  A teacher comes over and sorts it all out

  You run inside with a huge pout

  I’m happy that for now it’s over

  But I know that it’s not!

  Caitlin Townsend

  Year 6, Newport C of E Primary School

  Winning Entry, Years 5-6 Category

  They do not know that she is crying

  They do not know that she is crying as quietly as a mouse,

  They do not know she is covered in bruises and plasters,

  From their horrible hurting,

  Killer kicking,

  Powerful Punching,

  Terrible Thumping,

  Terror Tripping,

  They do not know that she is snivelling in the toilets,

  From their Nasty Notes,

  Mean Messages,

  Spiteful letters,

  I told the headteacher,

  I told all about the victims worries,

  She told the class teacher,

  And her worries went away with the bullies,

  Now after the three dreaded months,

  She has only smiles on her face,

  She helps at anti-bullying days and weeks,

  She never misses one,

  She wants to help because she will never forget the hardship she went through

  Eloise Hayward

  Year 5, Newchurch Primary School

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bsp; Winning Entry, Years 5-6 Category

  I’d love to understand

  I’d love to understand the mind of a bully

  Especially the one who made my brother feel so woolly

  Surely it didn’t make you feel good

  Upsetting him so much he hid under his hood

  Day after day you carried on….

  He’s quiet and polite

  Maybe that’s what you didn’t like

  He’s clever and funny

  And you made him feel so scummy

  Day after day you carried on…

  They told you to stop and leave him alone

  All he wanted to do was stay at home

  But he carried on and held his head high with pride

  But so many times, he hid and cried

  Day after day you carried on…

  My brother is strong

  He did you no wrong

  We stood by him and helped him through

  Please banish those evil thoughts, you can change too

  I hope you’re not still carrying on….

  Lottie Van der Helstraete

  Year 5, Gurnard Primary School

  Other Entries, Years 5-6 Category

  No Bullying

  Dear Bully,

  Please don’t bully me anymore,

  I’m sick of looking at the floor,

  People say how nasty you are,

  Wouldn’t it be better to be liked by far,

  I know you’re nice underneath,

  So please give me and you some peace,

  It will make you feel better in the long run,

  And yours and my life will be a lot more fun,

  Just a little advice from a potential friend,

  Please make this horror come to an end

  From

  Your Victim

  Billy Butcher

  Year 6, Lanesend Primary School

  Other Entries, Years 5-6 Category

  A bully is…

  A bully is

  Spiteful

  A bully is

  Cruel

  Let’s stop the bullies, bullying all.

  A bully is

  Childish

  A bully is

  Selfish

  Let’s stop the bullies, bulling all.

  Bullies think it’s funny, but it makes you cry.

  A bully is

  Tormenting

  A bully is

  Terrorizing

  Let’s stop the bullies, bullying all.

  Kirstie Bufton

  Year 6, Oakfield C of E (Aided) Primary School

  Other Entries, Years 5-6 Category

  THIS STOPS HERE

  You call me names and I go red,

  Inside I feel very upset.

  You laugh at me encouraging others,

  I’m feeling as if I want to run away.

  Monday comes I’m ready for school,

  I don’t want to go I look like a fool.

  I know it’s coming I know it’s not nice,

  I’ve been through it once, I can’t do it twice.

  I want Friday to come, it better come soon,

  Home is the place where I hide from you.

  Here feels safe away from the bully,

  This stops here and I will say no to bullying!

  Carolina Lamb

  Year 6, Binstead Primary School

  Other Entries, Years 5-6 Category

  A bullying haiku

  The local Bully

  Tiny, yes she was,

  You would not have believed it,

  Dark hair, piercing eyes.

  A line of children,

  All scurrying behind her,

  It was obvious.

  Terrified of course,

  Terrified of her, of course,

  All under pressure.

  All except for me,

  I will go on my own path,

  She has bullied me.

  since then we don’t speak,

  don’t show that we care at all,

  but…I think we do.

  Holly Eldridge

  Year 6, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

  Other Entries, Years 5-6 Category

  Don’t be the one…

  Don’t be the one who makes me feel sad

  Don’t be the one who makes me feel bad

  Don’t be the one who is always bad

  Don’t be the one who thinks they’re totally rad

  Don’t be the one who makes me feel not so grand

  Don’t be the one who stuffs my face in the sand

  Don’t be the one who makes me feel I don’t belong on this land

  Don’t be the one who makes me fall

  Don’t be the one that takes the mick of small and tall

  Don’t be the one who is so very cruel

  So let’s rejoice together and end bullying once and for all!

  Noah Howes

  Year 6, Haylands Primary School

  Other Entries, Years 5-6 Category

  Bullies poem

  The bully stalks her victim like a vixen with a bird

  She smirks at the weak

  With quiet footsteps that are never heard

  She kicks, she flicks, she hits, she tweaks

  When she’s around all the children scuttle away

  She finds her victim no matter where they live

  With great big teeth and great big fists she punches every day

  First look at her and you will be held captive

  Fight back and you will pay

  They bully on and on and make you want to die

  Listen to this and don’t bully – buddy up!

  Lily McDevitt

  Year 6, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

  Other Entries, Years 5-6 Category

  Everybody knows bullying’s not nice

  Everybody knows bullying’s not nice,

  You’ve heard it once, now I’m telling you twice.

  What’s the point in hurting a soul,

  You’re just digging yourself a big deep hole.

  Bullying can happen at work, home and school,

  If you do this you’re a crazy fool,

  You think your victims are weak, in fact that’s you,

  Cause you can’t control what you say and do.

  Your words are poison, you are to blame,

  The bruises you leave, should make you ashamed,

  You need help, that’s what you should do,

  Then you will find a better you

  Don’t call people nasty names!!!

  Harry Lovelock Brown

  Year 6, Lanesend Primary School

  Other Entries, Years 5-6 Category

  The Bully

  I go to school every day fear always

  Surrounding me,

  I know he is waiting there waiting for his

  Prey, his punishment is different every

  Day.

  ‘You poor poor thing’ my mother

  Would say ‘you should stick up

  to him one day’ But I would just

  Say, lying course, I do mum

  I do every day.

  But the next day was…ok

  I went terrified into the playground

  And what did I see. I saw my

  Friends all staring at me. ‘It’s ok’ they

  Said ‘we’re here for you’ and the bully went away.

  Paul Coyle

  Year 6, Newchurch Primary School

  Other Entries, Years 5-6 Category

  The bullying Ode

  I’m walking to school on a cold winter morning,

  Walking alone in the rain,

  When a grim face spots, me I walk a bit faster,

  And he too, notice my change,

  His grin becomes wider, his gang starts chanting,

  The boy walks over to me,

  I see the eyes of the bully,

  Those glaring eyes of the bully…

 
I’ll never forget that dreadful day…

  So when you come to bullying say a big…

  STOP!

  Charlie Giemza Pipe

  Year 6, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

  Years 7-9 Category

  Winning Entry, Years 7-9 Category

  Let’s Stop Bullying For All

  You can do it, you are strong!

  Bullying is a thing in life that will never stop,

  Will this ever end?

  Kids all over the world are being bullied,

  Every day, every week, every month,

  Why?

  Do people have to bully,

  Will it make you proud?

  Do you do it for being brave or cool?

  Because this is the reason kids don’t go to school.

  Stand up to that bully,

  Make yourself proud,

  Be strong when you are weak,

  Brave when you are scared,

  And humble when you’re victorious!

  When people are bringing you down,

  That only means you are above them.

  Stay strong because you’re worth it,

  And nothing can bring you down.

  This world isn’t for bullies,

  This world is for people that respect and they are kind,

  This world is for people that stand up for themselves

  This world is for people with hearts and feelings, not for people that hurt others