Moffat Academy Whole School News 2023/24 Term 2

Dumfries and Galloway school gains national honour during Anti-Bullying Week

A school from Dumfries and Galloway has been recognised for their commitment to an anti-bullying culture and has been presented with a respectme reward during Anti-Bullying Week (13-17 November 2023).

Moffat Academy secured the honour from respectme, Scotland’s Anti-Bullying Service, after consistently creating a safe environment for pupils to learn and flourish. Part of the reward criteria asks schools to complete a school wide assessment reviewing anti-bullying work and initiatives. The process also places an emphasis on children’s voices, by supporting a children’s rights approach by engaging young people in feedback surveys and whole-school anti-bullying conversations and initiatives.

Kirstin Candlish, Moffat Academy Secondary Depute of Pupil Support added “Working alongside respectme to undertake this Reward has been an extremely worthwhile and important piece of self-evaluation work for us. We are delighted to have the recognition for all we try to do to support our young people, and as ever, continue to look for ways we can improve things going forward in conjunction with our young people and their families.

I would thoroughly recommend all schools to participate in this process with respectme.”

Lorraine Glass, Interim Director of respectme, Scotland’s Anti-Bullying Service, commented: “In this Anti-Bullying Week, we were thrilled to visit Moffat Academy to recognise the efforts and to present their respectme reward certificate in person. I know their ongoing commitment to creating an environment where bullying is never acceptable will continue to be a real benefit to the children of the school now and in years to come.

“Our role at respectme is neither one of inspection nor enforcement, instead we seek to build solid, trusting relationships and act as enablers to help guide, uphold, encourage, celebrate, validate and share good practice wherever we can, and to support improvement and change through respectful challenge and thought leadership. This approach helps nurture a culture of growth rather than one of compliance.”

The respectme reward is designed to help schools and youth services review their anti-bullying policy and practice, acknowledge success and plan for future improvements. In addition, the national reward accolade recognises the energy that a whole-school approach to anti-bullying can generate, and the real difference it can make.

A robust anti-bullying policy matched by consistent, predictable practice will help to create safe environments where bullying cannot thrive. If you want to find out more about the respectme reward visit respectme online at www.respectme.org.uk or email enquiries@respectme.org.uk.

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UNCRC

Article 29 (goals of education)

Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect

for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment.

Article 14 (freedom of thought,

belief and religion)

Every child has the right to think and believe what they choose and also to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Governments must respect

the rights and responsibilities of parents to guide their child as they grow up.

Article 3 (best interests of the child)

The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all decisions and actions that affect children.