The New Horizon Guidance and Counselling Unit will engage in several activities aimed at choosing respect for Anti-Bullying Week 2024.

Primary School Counsellor Mrs. Sharon Leonard said bullying in the Territory must end and is encouraging students to trust adults and get the necessary assistance that they may need.

Mrs. Leonard said the week of activities will be observed from October 14 to 18 under the theme, “Choose Respect”. She said the theme was chosen as a result of consultation with teachers and students by the Anti-bullying Alliance in the United Kingdom that coordinates Anti-bullying week every year.

“Teachers and Children wanted a theme that empowered them to do something positive to counter the harm that bullying causes. This year, we will empower children and young people to choose respect,” Mrs. Leonard said.

Past High School Counsellor Ms. Bisa Smith said the unit also seeks to bring awareness to the effects of bullying specifically in schools and help students and staff deal with this problem in a more positive way.

Meanwhile, High School Counsellor Mr. Daryl Pierre-Louis listed the activities which include school based assemblies and activities, odd socks day, speech competitions in primary and secondary schools, a road march and pep rally, and a banner competition.

He encouraged students to reach out to adults to get the assistance that they need. Mr. Pierre-Louis said, “We want to let you know that we are here for you, if you need an outlet then we are here to listen. Reach out to an adult, this is what all of this is about.”

The full interview on Anti-Bullying Week 2024 with the team of counsellors from the New Horizon Guidance and Counselling Unit will be launched on the Government of the Virgin Islands’ Facebook page at BVIGovernment

Photo 1: Anti-bullying Week Flyer

Photo 2: Odd Socks Day Flyer

(Photo credit: GIS)