This week, we have been promoting the ‘Power of Good’ as we mark Anti-Bullying Week. This theme, provided by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, has been simple and strong in its message, and has helped us promote the notion that each of us has the power to shape a culture where every person feels safe, valued and able to succeed. We have reminded all members of the Rookwood community over the course of the week, that when individuals act together, small actions can lead to lasting change.
Sadly, research shows that bullying has serious and lasting effects on health and learning. Longitudinal studies link childhood bullying to higher rates of anxiety, depression and lower life satisfaction in adulthood (Arseneault, 2018). On the positive side however, one particular review found that students who feel a strong sense of belonging report better mental health, fewer behavioural difficulties and greater engagement in school (Allen et al., 2023). A separate analysis (Gaffney et al., 2021) reported measurable reductions in both bullying behaviour and victimisation when schools take a whole-community approach. This reinforces what we value at Rookwood; living true to our Aspire values, a belief in kind, happy, successful, and encouraging all members of our community to dare to know.
Something I get asked a lot by parents, is where is best to find advice, before they speak to their child about a certain topic, such as bullying. The internet and AI are, of course, an obvious place to start, but are fraught with mis-information, and, at times, conflicting advice. I am, therefore, pleased to announce that Rookwood, alongside a number of other ILG schools, has subscribed to Tooled Up Education, a research-informed library that supports parents, guardians and staff. It will help us to speak a shared language so that your children hear consistent, confident messages.
I encourage parents and guardians to explore the platform over the coming days. It includes resources on all manner of topics, and particularly pertinent to this week there are various articles on bullying, supporting resilience and promoting safe online behaviours.
I wish every member of the Rookwood community an enjoyable and fulfilling weekend.
Best wishes,
Paul Robinson
