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
&nbs
p; 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