PUPILS of Rivermead School in Melksham took to their school field to let off blue balloons with anti-bullying messages to put focus on the campaigning week.

From Monday (November 14) pupils of Rivermead started taking part in activities to learn more about the national anti-bullying week. In an attempt to spread the message of being friendly and respectful to one another, the 260 children of the school wrote notes and poems on Tuesday (November 15) about the effects of bullying and sent them into the sky with their balloons.

Organiser of the event and Year 2 teacher Liz Yates said: “We always want to do something to show the children that bullying is not acceptable. The children wrote messages on biodegradable paper and attached them to the balloons before letting them go with the aim that someone will find the note. Mrs Johnson in the school office raised the money from sponsorship to buy the balloons and helium to make this all happen.”

From poems to messages of peace, the pupils have been taking part in a variety of sessions to help them share the anti-bullying message.

“We have been watching videos, having talks and writing on the campaign. Some of our pupils are creating their own anti-bullying campaign videos so those will be something to look forward to. The children have been wonderful, they are actually very grown up about bullying,” said Mrs Yates.