This week, the whole College celebrated Anti-Bullying Week. The national theme was to ‘Make a Noise about Bullying’ and to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.
At Epsom, we focused on our unsung heroes, to champion those people in our community who do not normally get, or seek, the limelight. Throughout the week, the various activities highlighted that a defining characteristic of Epsom pupils is that they seek to bring out the best in those around them.
Monday was Odd Socks Day, to kick off and promote the week. On Tuesday, representatives from TellMi, the peer support app, visited the College and ran training sessions for Lower Sixth Peer Mentors. On Wednesday, we broke the College record for the size of the audience at a lunchtime concert, with several hundred pupils and staff listening to some outstanding music in Chapel. On Thursday, Lower School and M4 pupils took part in a ‘Thank You’ card writing competition. There will be prizes for the best ones but, more importantly, it was a chance for pupils to show gratitude to others in our community.
Every House chose its own Unsung Hero of the Day, which was announced in Roll each morning and celebrated on social media. There have also been What Went Well boards in Houses, so pupils can celebrate the highlight of their day and thank the person who enabled it to happen.
There has been a focus in academic lessons on improvement, determination and celebrating those who support others in their learning. Whilst, in the sports fixtures, coaches will be awarding their Player of the Match to an unsung hero; someone who doesn’t take the limelight but brings the best out of others in the team. There were also some delicious Anti-Bullying Week cupcakes in lunch on Thursday, kindly provided by the Catering team.
The whole week has tied in brilliantly with our College Values of Kindness, Ambition and Integrity and our focus on Character Education as our pupils seek to celebrate each other and bring out the best in those around them.
