Chrisland School has enjoined its learners to speak up against all forms of bullying and emphasised the need to stay safe throughout the term.
To underscore this commitment, the Head of Risk, Compliance Safeguarding and Child Protection, Mrs Kemi Fajemirokun, held a week-long event, to empower learners and equip them with needed tools to navigate each term.
The term’s ‘safeguarding week’ was themed: ‘Promoting total well-being and positive mental health through protection from cyber and general bullying.’
A member of the school’s advisory board, Akin Fadeyi, explained that the objective was to raise awareness about the need for protection from all forms of bullying, and also sensitise students on the importance of speaking up.
Activities during the safeguarding week were conducted across different branches of the school to ensure maximum participation and impact.
The activities included song presentations, playlets, debates, drama presentations, spoken word performances, and talk shows, among others.
Additionally, safeguarding ambassadors for each level were reintroduced and encouraged to be exemplary in their roles.
Through these engaging sessions, learners gained valuable insights into recognising and addressing bullying in all its forms.
During one of the sessions, a psychologist, Maureen Ada-Leonard, encouraged the learners to communicate with their parents and counsellors both at home and in school.
She emphasised the importance of upholding moral values such as respect, integrity, and responsibility.
Ada-Leonard who is also a parent of one of the students in the school, likened the mind to an open space and cautioned against taking in anything unhealthy.
While addressing parents at the event, Ada-Leonard stressed the need for a holistic approach from both home and school to raise a well-rounded child.
She also urged educators to be positive role models, noting that it is the image the children see that they aspire to become.
Another parent, Mrs Opeoluwa Adeyemi, urged learners to remain vigilant, emphasising that bullying could occur not only within the school premises but also outside.
At the grand finale of the weeklong event held at the school’s Ikeja branch, Fajemirokun explained that the term’s theme was chosen through a questionnaire survey conducted to understand the concerns of the children.
According to her, the chosen theme will resonate throughout the term.
While warning against bullying, she said: “We believe that an empowered learner is a strong learner, less susceptible to bullying or abuse.
“This commitment to safety is evident in the involvement of parents who are part of the safeguarding committee of each school. We are raising children who will be global leaders. So, if you ‘see something’, ‘say something’ and ‘do something.’
