23 November 2008:
Rachele Crawford (16) from Bloomfield Collegiate, Belfast is the winner (post-primary school category) of Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum’s (NIABF) short story competition, supported by Translink, on the ‘fear of being bullied in a new school’.
Pictured with Rachele are (l-r) Pete Snodden, Cool FM presenter, local published author Sarah Wray, Louise Scott, Brand Manager, Translink, Kirstie McMurray, Cool FM presenter, and Leslie-Anne Newton, regional anti-bullying co-ordinator with NI Anti-Bullying Forum.
As part of this year’s Anti-Bullying Week (17-21 November) a special awards ceremony for schools took place recently (Fri 21 Nov) at W5 in the Odyssey.
Over 500 entries from primary and post-primary schools across Northern Ireland were submitted for Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum’s (NIABF) short story competition, supported by Translink, on the ‘fear of being bullied in a new school’. The winners were:
Primary School:
Winner: Fionnuala Lambe (11), Carrick Primary School, Warrenpoint*
Runner Up: Aoife O'Neill (10), Clintyclay Primary School, Dungannon
Runner Up: Katie Atcheson (8), Towerview Primary School, Bangor
Post-Primary School:
Winner: Rachele Crawford (16), Bloomfield Collegiate, Belfast*
Runner Up: Molly Rainey(13), Drumragh Integrated College, Omagh
Runner Up: Matthew Craig (13), Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt
Special Merits:
Caroline Lyons (11), Beechlawn School, Hillsborough
Kieran Gill (15), Beechlawn School, Hillsborough
Speaking at the event David Simpson, Assistant Director of Save the Children in the North of Ireland and chair of Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum, said:
"We have been overwhelmed by not only the volume of entries but also by the high standard and content of the stories. A wide range of social issues has been highlighted through the stories, from the importance of positive relationships which children need to have with their families, other children and teachers, to protect themselves from bullying, through to much darker issues including domestic violence and suicide.
"Our judging panel, which comprised Jim Clarke, CCMS Deputy Chief Executive, Michael Wardlow, NICIE Chief Executive, Philomena McDermott, WELB, and I, had a difficult task in selecting the winners and runners-up in each of the categories.
"The key criteria however for the judging process focused on the originality and interest of the writing, how well the stories captured the ‘fear of being bullied’, and the strength of the key message which each story communicated. In addition, we awarded two Special Merit awards to pupils who produced the most interesting short stories despite facing specific learning challenges.
"We are delighted that local published author Sarah Wray is on hand to present the awards and would also like to thank Translink for their support of these awards and Anti-Bullying Week this year. And finally, I would like to congratulate all of today’s winners on their wonderful achievements!"
Louise Scott, Brand Manager, Translink, added: "The short story competition provides an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of bullying and allows children and young people to talk about the issues that affect or concern them. It is wonderful to see so many pupils from across NI investing such time and effort into compiling these stories. Translink is working closely with NIABF to raise awareness about the serious issue of bullying to help ensure that more pupils’ school experiences are both positive and rewarding."
Local radio breakfast presenters Pete Snodden and Kirstie McMurray from 97.4 Cool FM also attended the short story event to show their support for Anti-Bullying Week.
Mum of two, Kirstie McMurray re-iterated the need to speak to someone who can help you if you are worried about any issues your child may have in school: "My children are still young; however, there was an occasion where one of them got upset about being called names in school because of his hair colour. As a parent it is great to know that I can visit the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum's website for information on how to deal with this kind of situation and schools are helping children understand more about how to prevent bullying."
Each competition winner received a £100 book token and an award, while each runner-up received a £25 book token. Schools of winners and runners up received a framed certificate. All pupils submitting an entry received a certificate acknowledging their contribution to the competition.
Winning stories and a sample of other entries will be published on the NIABF website
If you would like to obtain further information on Anti-Bullying related measures please contact Leslie-Anne Newton, Regional Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator, NI Anti-Bullying Forum on 02890 431123 or info@niabf.org.uk
Funded by the Department of Education, the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum was launched in 2005 and includes representatives from Save the Children, Barnardos, CCEA, CCMS, ChildLine, Children’s Law Centre, Contact Youth, the Department of Education, Early Years, the five Education and Library Boards, Mencap, NCB, Action for Children, NICEM, NICIE, NSPCC, Parents Advice Centre, Rethink, The Fostering Network, The Rainbow Project, and teachers’ representatives.
Ends
For all media enquiries please contact Janet McKay, PR Consultant on 07968 817514 or email janet@janetmckaypr.com
Extracts From Winning Stories:
Primary School Winner (Fionnuala Lambe, 11, Carrick Primary School, Warrenpoint):
"It was the last day of summer and Hannah was feeling worried. She was moving in to secondary school. None of her friends from primary school were going to the same one as her. This made her worried. But there was no going back now. And her little brothers, Jim and Tim weren’t helping. ‘No one’s going to be your friend. They’ll think you’re weird like we do’. Hannah got so annoyed with them that she screamed for her mum and she squealed even louder at them. ‘Boys, leave your sister alone. Now get up to your room."
Post-Primary Winner (Rachele Crawford, 16, Bloomfield Collegiate, Belfast):
"As I sat there feeling so alone so lost, I felt a hand across my back causing me to flinch. Instead of him I was met with rich, hazel eyes which glistened in the light, the face creased slightly and I watched as the person’s lips slowly moved whispering something. I could not hear them I was still suffering from shock; she heaved me up and walked slowly out to the corridor. She stared at my bruised and battered face and touched it slowly, wincing I finally heard her say, my name is Mia, I heard you crying in there you sounded in such distress."
The Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum:
The Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) was established in August 2004 and formally launched in November 2005 as an independent body comprising statutory and voluntary organisations involved in the reduction of bullying and creating a safe environment for children and young people. NIABF is funded by the Department of Education and is facilitated by Save the Children.
NIABF is represented on the British and Irish Anti-Bullying Forum that comprises one statutory and one voluntary representative each from England, Scotland, Wales, and from both jurisdictions in Ireland.
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