TREES bearing personal messages from pupils were planted in the grounds of their school to mark Anti-Bullying week.

Throughout the week pupils at Haydock High held a series of events with the theme Let’s Stop Bullying for All.

The aim was to demonstrate the impact bullying can have on people in the long and short term, not just the victim but their friends and family.

Also educating students who can be the most vulnerable to bullying encouraging a kind and supportive environment.

Pupils were also shown how to use techniques to protect themselves from bullying and how they can protect others. They were also taught to ensure that they don’t use language which could be seen to be discriminatory. Throughout the week year 7 joined with anti bully workshops which included a mock court room and a ‘bully myth buster session’.

Chief Superintendent Rowley Moore visited the school to chat to year 8 pupils about racism and year 9 students teamed up with schoolchildren from Lansbury Bridge to learn how to play the game Boccia.

Other students learned more about the equal opportunities act while others went to Haydock Library to watch a performance by the 20 Stories High Theatre Company called the ‘Headz Monologues’ which were various stories based around cyber bullying and homophobia.

The school held an assembly in which it invited a number of guests including the mayor and mayoress and Sergeant Dave Paxton from Merseyside Police.

During the assembly representatives from each year pledged to make a stand and speak out against bullying and hate crime in their community.